Pakistan is a storehouse of rich culture, with numerous historical forts, palaces, and mosques telling a story of its rich past. Not to forget is the allure bestowed upon it by nature, which makes it a perfect destination for a laid-back holiday.
The country has been regarded as an emerging name in international tourism by several travel guides, including Lonely Planet.
(Image Courtesy: Imgur)
With an unparalleled wealth of culture and nature on offer, Pakistan somehow still manages to fail to capitalize on its tourism potential. The sole reason behind it? Terrorism!
The country has been tarnished by terrorism, with a suicide attack or massacre in the news every other week. All this chaos has led to tourism departments urging the citizens of their country to refrain from all non-essential travel to Pakistan.
(Image Courtesy: Business Insider)
The US Issues Warning
The Department of State of the United States of America has issued a warning to its citizens against traveling to Pakistan. While the Consulate Generals in Lahore and Karachi, and American Embassy in Islamabad are only able to offer limited consular services due to security concerns, Consulate General in Peshawar has ceased to provide any at all.
The Consulate in Karachi is subjected to regular terrorist attacks in the past, with a shooting in 2003, plot of bombing in 2004, and car bomb blast in 2006.
(Image Courtesy: Chicago Tribune)
UK's Travel Warning For Pakistan
Considering the terrorist attacks that took place in Lahore earlier this year, the UK government does not shy away from asking its citizens to “exercise particular caution in traveling to and around Lahore.”
Adding to the warning, it asks to be careful in and around the leading international hotels and public areas like religious sites, shopping malls, parks as well as law-enforcement facilities. Furthermore, it also advises against all visits to Peshawar, and districts of Kohat, Bannu, Charsadda, Tank Lakki, Buner and several others.
(Image Courtesy: NBC News)
Canada's Travel Warning For Pakistan
As of July 12, 2017, the Canadian government has shown concern about the elevated threat of terrorist attacks in Lahore. It has taken the same path as the United States, advising all Canadians against non-essential travel to the Asian country. The reason cited on the official website of the travel department of Canada is “unpredictable security situation, which includes the threat of terrorist attacks, kidnapping, and sectarian violence.” Canada has also issued several local advisories, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to border areas, except Wagah, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Peshawar and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) like North and South Waziristan at once.
(Image Courtesy: Unofficial Networks)
Australia's Travel Mandate Related To Pakistan
The official word from the government of Australia is to “reconsider your need for travel.” It is urging its citizens to avoid visiting Pakistan due to the “high level of risk,” and do research, take extra safety precautions like contingency plans to people who are still traveling to the country. On 12th July, the government, owing to the heightened threat in Lahore of a terrorist attack, urged all Australians to avoid visiting the city and its surrounding areas.
(Image Courtesy: Washington Post)
New Zealand's Final Word On Pakistan
New Zealand government’s advisory to its citizens states that there is an extreme risk to security in FATA, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and all borders with India. Additionally, the Oceanic country also issued a high-risk warning in all other areas of Pakistan, citing threats of kidnapping, civil unrest, asking New Zealanders troubled with concerns about their safety in Pakistan to leave the country. It also advised that citizens in Pakistan should have an extensive travel insurance which includes medical evacuation by air.
(Image Courtesy: Chicago Tribune)
All this is a result of the wide-spread terror and chaos in Pakistan. In June 2013, 9 mountaineers who included five Ukrainians, three Chinese and one Russians were massacred along with their guide while trekking on the Nanga Parbat. Shooters, dressed as paramilitary personnel, stormed into the base camp and started shooting at innocent hikers. Only one Chinese citizen managed to survive the attack.
(Image Courtesy: Yahoo News)
Another incident happened more recently, in May 2017, when a Chinese couple who visited Pakistan on business visas was abducted from the Balochistan province by men in police uniforms. The news of their demise came in early June when ISIS fighters claimed to have killed the two.
Besides these incidents, there have been consistent news of abduction and murders of international tourists in the country. Not to forget are the petty crimes like pickpocketing, etc. that take place all over the country.
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