Pakistan: Current Travel and Safety Information (as of September 2026)

As of September 25, 2026, updated travel and safety advisories are in effect for Pakistan, primarily due to regional conflicts, protests, and military tensions along the borders with Afghanistan and India. Travelers and visa applicants should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the current situation before traveling to Pakistan, as security classifications vary significantly across different parts of the country.

Travel to certain regions is expressly discouraged. These include the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the provincial capital of Peshawar, as well as the so-called “merged districts,” including sections of the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and the junction with the N15. Excluded from this warning are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taxila, the national parks around Nathia Gali, as well as the main roads to Islamabad and the route over the Babusar Pass to Gilgit. Also subject to a travel warning are the province of Balochistan, with its capital Quetta, and a 20-kilometer-wide strip along the border with India, including the “Line of Control.” Travelers are also warned against entering or leaving Iran and Afghanistan by land, and travel to the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir) is currently discouraged.

In the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir, protests are currently taking place, with some violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators, in which several people are reported to have been killed. A curfew is in effect for the city of Rawalakot in Poonch District, and internet and mobile phone services are restricted. Travelers are advised to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people at all costs, to follow instructions from security forces at roadblocks, and to stay informed through local and social media.

A large-scale demonstration has been announced for September 27, 2026, in Islamabad, and protests could also occur in cities such as Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Extensive closures of the M1 highway, the GT Road (N-5), and other road links between Peshawar and Islamabad have been in effect since September 23, 2026. Additional traffic restrictions, as well as telephone and internet blackouts, cannot be ruled out in the coming days. Anyone planning a trip should allow for flexible itineraries and check for possible road closures before traveling.

Since late February 2026, Pakistani armed forces have repeatedly attacked targets in Afghanistan, while the de facto rulers there have threatened to respond with attacks. The situation surrounding the agreement signed between the U.S. and Iran in June 2026 also remains tense, with a continuing risk of escalation and possible renewed restrictions on air traffic in the region. In connection with these conflicts, demonstrations may occur nationwide, which under certain circumstances could also be directed against Western nationals. The risk of terrorist attacks is considered elevated throughout the country, and in mid-March 2026, small unmanned aerial vehicles were detected or intercepted on several occasions, leading to temporary airspace closures.

A significant security presence, regular checkpoints, roadblocks, and sporadic curfews are to be expected throughout the country. Restrictions on freedom of movement and temporary shutdowns of the cellular network are also possible, particularly in the event of new protests or a further escalation of the conflict with Afghanistan. Anyone planning a trip to Pakistan despite this situation should arrange all necessary travel documents well in advance; you can easily submit the appropriate visa application using our application form. Our page on visa types also provides an overview of the available categories.