Pakistan travel warnings relaxed

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has amended its advice for those visiting to Pakistan, and is no longer advising against all but essential travel to the whole of the country.

However, the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to Northern Sindh and Southern Punjab which remain particularly unsettled since the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Travellers should avoid areas where there are reports of military or militant activity.

"This applies particularly to: northern and western Balochistan, including the Sui/Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas; the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including Waziristan; Swat, North West Frontier Province (NWFP); and all border areas except for official crossing points," the Foreign Office explained.

It also advised against using the rail network across all of Pakistan.

Since the assassination, the situation is now generally calmer and life is returning to normal in major cities.

However, political tension related to parliamentary elections rescheduled for February 18th 2008 could give rise to a further escalation of violence.

"If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult FCO travel advice regularly," the Foreign Office advised.

"You may wish to seek local advice on the latest situation from the Security Section of the British High Commission in Islamabad or the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi."

See the Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice on visiting Pakistan.