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Pakistan

If you’re travelling to Pakistan, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

Avoid Non-Essential Travel

Security

We advise against all travel to:

  • the Kashmir region
  • the former FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)
  • the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
  • the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass
  • northern and western Balochistan
  • travel on the Karakoram Highway between Islamabad and Gilgit

Latest Travel Alert

Citizens planning travel abroad should take into account the ongoing risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad and are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover. Before departure and during travel, citizens are advised to monitor our Travel Advice, follow us on Twitter, and register with their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate.

Travel to Pakistan

All passengers 12 years old who can  provide evidence of vaccination in order to travel to Pakistan will not be required to present evidence of a negative COVID test prior to travel. Passengers aged 12 and above without proof of vaccination will require proof of a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before arrival.

Passengers under the age of 12 do not require proof of vaccination nor proof of a negative PCR test. 

Please note that most land borders with Afghanistan are closed, with crossings continuing at the Torkham border crossing for those with valid passports and Pakistani visas. Border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan may close at short notice.

Passengers arriving in Pakistan are required to download and register their details on the ‘Pass Track App’ before arrival. If you do not have the App downloaded, you will be asked to complete a health declaration form.

Non-Pakistani passport holders who are aged 18 and above must provide proof of being fully vaccinated in order to board domestic flights.

If you are in Pakistan, you should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice of local authorities. The situation is subject to change at short notice. If you have concerns about future travel plans, please contact your airline. For updated travel information, please see the following links for international airports in Pakistan:

Islamabad Airport (IIAP) 

Karachi Airport (KHI)

Lahore Airport (LHE)

General Travel Advice 

Pakistan is experiencing extreme flooding and landslides. Transportation, power distribution, access to food and water, telecommunications networks emergency services and medical care have been significantly impacted in many areas. More information is available on the National Disaster Management Authority website. Irish citizens in Pakistan are advised to stay away from affected areas and monitor local news and weather reports and follow the guidance of the local authorities.

There is a high risk of terrorism in Pakistan, including in major cities. Irish citizens in Pakistan should exercise vigilance and caution and avoid large public gatherings. While many public demonstrations take place in Pakistan without incident, there is always the potential for violence, and travellers should avoid such demonstrations as well as large crowds if possible. Travellers with essential travel to Pakistan should register their presence on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, avoid border areas and keep their stay to a minimum. 

Except for official border crossing points, foreigners are not permitted to travel within 10 miles of Pakistan’s international borders and the Kashmir Line of Control, or within 30 miles of the Afghan border in Gilgit-Baltistan.

As there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Honorary Consul in Karachi or the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Personal ID

You should carry photographic ID at all times

Unrest

The security situation in Pakistan is unstable and dangerous. You should avoid all large gatherings and areas which are known to be vulnerable to unrest.

Sectarian violence

There is an ongoing threat of sectarian violence particularly in Baluchistan and North West Frontier Province and you should be cautious during Islamic festivals and on Friday in the vicinity of mosques.

Demonstrations

Avoid political demonstrations and large crowds assembled for political or religious purposes as there is a risk that these gatherings may turn violent. Keep yourself informed of what is going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your local contact, hotel or tour organiser.

Terrorism

There is a high risk of terrorism in Pakistan. In addition to an established pattern of terrorist attacks on military and Government installations, there have been a lot of indiscriminate terrorist attacks on public places and these have resulted in large numbers of casualties. Locations frequented by Western nationals - hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and diplomatic Missions – have been targeted.

Kidnapping

The threat of kidnap of foreign nationals across Pakistan remains high. Kidnappers don’t discriminate between nationalities or religions so you should follow these basic precautions:

  • Get advice from your local contacts about staying safe
  • Avoid travelling at night, particularly inter-city
  • Avoid travelling alone
  • When driving, ensure all car doors are locked
  • Vary your routes and departure times – avoid patterns which could be tracked
  • Pay careful attention to local media for reports of kidnapping activities

Crime

Crime levels in Pakistan are high, especially in Karachi and much of Baluchistan, rural Sindh and the North West Frontier Province, including the former FATA (Federally-Administered Tribal Areas), have a high incidence of lawlessness.

Violent crime

Criminal violence, including armed car-jacking, robbery, kidnap and murder, is common in Pakistan, especially in Karachi. Travellers have also been offered drugged food and then robbed. Always be aware of the risks and take personal security precautions.

Reporting a crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Pakistan, report it to the local police immediately. You can also contact the Honorary Consul if you need help.

Driving

If you are planning to drive in Pakistan, you should be extremely careful. Local driving standards are erratic, especially at night, road conditions are poor and there is a risk of car-jacking. Take particular care on long road journeys and when travelling cross-country.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Muslim culture

Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and you should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Dress conservatively; men and women should cover their shoulders and legs when in public. Women should cover their heads when entering mosques or other holy places, and when travelling in more rural areas.

Ramadan

Always be aware of your actions and take care not to offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or other religious festivals, or if you intend to visit religious areas.

During Ramadan, Muslims are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. To avoid offence, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public during this time.

LGBT

Homosexuality is illegal. We advise caution and discretion at all times.

Co-habitation

Co-habitation by an unmarried couple is also illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including prison terms. Drug smuggling can attract the death penalty.

Forbidden products

It is illegal to import alcohol and pork products.

Photography

We advise you not to take photographs at military establishments, airports or any infrastructure, including bridges and dams or from aircraft.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens may apply for a visa online through the Pakistani Government’s Official Visa Portal: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/  

If you are unsure of the entry requirements for Pakistan, including visa and other immigration information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Pakistan.

Your passport must have six months validity.

Passports

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

Travelling with children

A single parent or other adult who is not the child’s parent may need to provide documentary evidence of parental responsibility, particularly if the child is of Pakistani origin, before the immigration authorities will allow the child to leave the country.

Typhoid

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for Pakistan.

Typhoid vaccination is recommend for all travellers from Ireland to typhoid-endemic countries, including Pakistan. In addition, travellers should be aware of precautions to take to reduce their risk of acquiring typhoid infection including:

  • wash hands before eating
  • avoid ice and drink only bottled water
  • avoid risky foods – undercooked food, raw, unpeeled, unwashed fruit and vegetables or fruit and vegetables washed in unsafe water

More information is available on the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre website.

Polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers from Ireland to countries where polio transmission is a risk. Before travelling to areas where poliomyelitis cases are still occurring, travellers should ensure that they have completed the recommended age-appropriate polio vaccine schedule and have received a booster dose, if necessary. More information is available on the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre website.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Please note that if you require assistance in the case of an emergency while the Embassy is closed, contact the main Embassy number, 00 90 312 4591000, and leave a message on the Duty Officer voice mailbox. This mailbox will be monitored regularly. Please have an English speaker leave the initial message.

Embassy of Ireland
Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No.88
MNG Binasi
B Blok Kat 3
Gaziosmanpasa
Ankara 06700
Turkey

Tel: +90 312 459 1000
Fax: +90 312 446 8061

Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00

Contact us

Honorary Consulate Contact

Honorary Consul of Ireland Pakistan
Mr. Osman Asghar Khan
House number 91/1,
1st Lower Commercial Street,
Phase IV,
Defence Housing Authority
Karachi 75500

Tel: +92 21 35891181 - 82 - 83
Fax: +92 21 35821184

Email: Email us