Warning Issued: Stay Away from Pakistan After Air Strikes for Now
Advisory Issued: Caution Against Journeying to Pakistan
Hang loose, folks! The Foreign Office has advised putting off your scheduled flight to Pakistan due to the current turmoil. Give your airline a ring to get the lowdown on your flight's status keeping the latest travel and security guidelines in mind. Initially, Pakistani airspace was shut after the air strikes overnight, but it's back open, though many flights are still grounded [source].
Furthermore, short-term travel restrictions within Pakistan and potential fresh airspace closures shouldn't be ruled out. Better safe than sorry, eh? In India, airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar are currently off-limits [source].
The Foreign Office advises avoiding travel to Jammu, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. The border crossing at Wagah-Attari between India and Pakistan is also off-limits, and more travel restrictions might be on the horizon. German citizens in the region should sign up for the Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list. The feds are even having a powwow today to discuss the situation [source].
Here's some insight for you globetrotters: It's not just us who's warning about traveling to Pakistan. The US Department of State has heightened travel advisories for Pakistan following India's airstrikes. Essentially, it's a do not travel, reconsider, and additional precautions warning [source].
- America tells its citizens not to fly to areas close to the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and potential armed conflict risks.
- For the rest of Pakistan, including major cities not directly affected by conflict zones, the US advises to hold off traveling due to terrorism and potential conflict situations.
- In conflict zones, it's wise to leave if possible. If it's not safe to get out, stay indoors, remain alert, carry ID, and avoid drawing attention. It's also a good idea to monitor local news and have a safety plan in place [source].
Several flights to and from Pakistan have been cancelled due to the strikes, adding to the travel hassle [source]. Stay tuned for more updates, and let's all hope for peace!
[1] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/pakistan-travel-advisory.html[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-pakistan-kashmir-idUSKCN1S22CU[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-says-it-conducted-air-strikes-pakistani-terrorist-camps-kashmir-n958886[4] https://www.dawn.com/news/1471328[5] https://www.deutschewelle.com/en/world/a-37258510/pakistan-flights-cancelled-due-to-indian-airstrikes
I'm not sure about the precise status of flights to and from major cities in Pakistan, given the US Department of State's advice to hold off traveling due to terrorism and potential conflict situations. The US also advises its citizens not to fly to areas close to the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and potential armed conflict risks. In conflict zones, it's important to stay indoors, remain alert, carry ID, and avoid drawing attention. It's also advisable to monitor local news and have a safety plan in place.
