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https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62557
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Warden Message: Pakistan Muharram-Ul-Haram Holiday January 29-30
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Pakistan
26 Jan 2007
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U.S. Embassy Islamabad released the following on January 26, 2006:
The Muharram-Ul-Haram Holiday is on Monday and Tuesday (January 29th and 30th). In the past, there have been violent incidents during this holiday timeframe. Americans are advised to avoid all markets, bazaars, and public demonstrations on these two days.
The following is specific information on Muharram processions by city:
In Islamabad, two processions will be held from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Monday, both in the G-6 sector. Americans should avoid this sector, containing the Aabpara Market, Melody Market, and the Red and Shiite Mosques. On Tuesday, there will be a large procession in Rawalpindi lasting from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with eight thousand to ten thousand people expected in attendance. It starts at the Colonel Maqbool Imam Bargah (Shia Mosque) on College Road and stops at the Qadeemi Imam Bargah (Shia Mosque) on Jamia Masjid Road. Travel near these areas in Rawalpindi should be avoided during this time. There will also be processions in cities and towns throughout Pakistan. It is advised to avoid travel to towns, i.e. Murree, Taxila during this holiday to avoid coming upon these processions.
In Karachi, the Muharram processions will start from Nishtar Park nearby Shah-e-Khurasan Imam Bargah (Shia Mosque) at 10:00 a.m. about 7 km in the north. They will end at 6:00 p.m. in the evening at Hussainian Iranian Imam Bargah (Shia Mosque) on Nawab Mohabbat Kanji Road, in the jurisdiction of Baghdadi Police Station in the area of Kharadar about 7 km in the west via Numaish Roundabout, Empress Market, M. A. Jinnah Road, Bombay Bazaar and Nawab Mohabbat Kanji Road. The Monday procession will stop at Numaish Roundabout to offer afternoon prayers, and the Tuesday procession will stop at Tibet Center to offer afternoon prayers. Fifteen thousand to twenty thousand people are expected to participate in the Monday procession, and twenty five thousand to thirty thousand people are expected to attend the Tuesday procession. On both days, processions from all over the city will join the large procession at Nishtar Park. Slight traffic congestion is expected from the airport on Sharah-e-Faisal to the Shahrah-e-Quaideen intersection from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., on both Monday and Tuesday. Relevant city areas and roads will be completely closed to all traffic, and congestion is expected along alternate routes. On Friday, February 2nd (13th Muharram), religious gatherings (majalis) are anticipated at various Shia mosques throughout the city.
In Lahore, processions will last from early Monday morning until late evening on Tuesday. The Consulate advises Americans not to visit the walled city and surrounding areas during that time. 18 licensed processions, 53 traditional processions, and 288 majalis are expected on Monday. 10 licensed processions, 23 traditional processions, and 166 majalis will be held on Tuesday. The main procession of Youm-e-Ashur will begin from Nisar Haveli on Tuesday. Some popular gatherings and processions will set out from Karbala Gamey Shah, the walled city, Nicholson Road, Baghbanpura, Mozang, Lal Pull, Harbanspura, Mughalpura, Islampura, Township, RA Bazaar, Model Town, Garhi Shahu, near railway washing lines, Shahdara, and Gulberg. Major procession routes are Nisar Haweli, Mochi Gate, Gamay Shah Karbala, Mohalla Chehl Bibian traditional route, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Mubarik Haweli, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Koocha Qazi Khana, Imambargah Maulvi Feroze Ali, Koocha Miskeenan, Mohalla Pir Gillanian, Imambargah Syed Rajjab Ali Shah, Chauhatta Mufti Baqir, Chowk Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sonehri Mosque, Dabbi Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Mittha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakimaan, Ucchi Mosque, and Bhatti Chowk.
In Peshawar, all procession routes will be located in the Old City. While there are already restrictions on Americans traveling into the Old City, the Consulate in Peshawar also recommends against visiting Saddar Bazaar during these two days.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and other Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Units of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information. Each of the telephone numbers listed below is available 24 hours a day for emergency services.
Contact information follows for all four posts in Pakistan:
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632, website: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 520-4200 (after hours: 92-21-520-4400; fax 92-21-568-0496, website: http://usembassy.state.gov/karachi.
The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50- Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, telephone (92-42) 603-4000 or 603-4250, fax (92-42) 603-4200, website: http://lahore.usconsulate.gov. Email address: acslahore@state.gov.
The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712, website: http://Peshawar.usconsulate.gov.
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https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=62466
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Warden Message: Nepal Terai Region Warning
Consular Affairs Bulletins
South / Central Asia - Nepal
25 Jan 2007
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Nepal Travel Warning
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu released the following Warden Message on January 25, 2007:
This warden's message is being issued to alert American citizens to the security situation in Nepal's Terai region. American citizens are urged to exercise special caution and should be particularly vigilant about their personal safety.
Maoist splinter groups in the Terai continue to kidnap and murder Nepalese citizens. Additionally, there has been political agitation and civil unrest, including violent clashes between political groups and the Maoists as well as inter-communal violence and opportunistic criminality. Recently, protestors attacked vehicles belonging to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the National Human Rights Commission. The random, unpredictable nature of attacks and demonstrations creates a risk to Americans of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Recently, violent protesters burned vehicles, threw rocks and burned tires to block traffic during street demonstrations.
Demonstrations can occur with little or no advanced notice and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and the Embassy's website (http://nepal.usembassy.gov) for current security information.
Given the nature, intensity and unpredictability of disturbances, U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nepal should factor the potential for violence into their plans, exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel during these periods and maintain a low profile. U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Department of State's travel registration site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by personal appearance at the Consular Section. The Consular Section is located at the Yak and Yeti Hotel complex on Durbarmarg Street. The section can be reached directly at (977) (1) 444-5577 or through the Embassy switchboard. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security.
For further information about security conditions in Nepal, American citizens are encouraged to refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and the current Travel Warning for Nepal issued on December 08, 2006(http://travel.state.gov). American citizens are also encouraged to refer to the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement for additional travel safety and security information. These documents are available on the homepage of the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://nepal.usembassy.gov. The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains an information line at 1-888-407-4747 toll free or (202) 501-4444 Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. Government holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Specific information may also be obtained by calling the Embassy at 977-1-444-5577 during working hours and at 977-1-441-1179 during evenings and weekends and asking for the Embassy Duty Officer.