Is It Safe to Travel to Pakistan in 2026?
Pakistan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
⚠ Reconsider Travel
The U.S. State Department recommends reconsidering travel to Pakistan due to elevated risks. Key factors: terrorism, crime, kidnapping.
Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the second-largest Muslim population as of 2023.
Is It Safe to Travel to Pakistan in 2026?
Pakistan is currently rated Level 3 — Reconsider Travel by the U.S. Department of State. Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. U.S. government employees are ordered to leave certain consulates due to safety risks.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- terrorism
- crime
- kidnapping
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping., Ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees from Lahore and Karachi due to safety risks..
Active restrictions in Pakistan:
- Movement restrictions in effect
- Security escort may be required
Must use armed escorts and armored vehicles when traveling in certain parts of the country.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face extreme risks from terrorism and crime, particularly in urban areas like Karachi and Islamabad, where attacks can occur without warning.
Business travelers may encounter significant operational risks due to movement restrictions and the need for armed escorts, particularly outside major cities.
Families with children face extreme risks, including limited healthcare access and the threat of kidnapping or violence in public spaces.
Remote workers may find suitable environments in major cities but face significant risks in terms of safety and connectivity outside these areas.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Pakistan.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Balochistan Province
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, including the former FATA
- Vicinity of Line of Control
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel3 regions
▶Balochistan Province
Do not travel to Balochistan Province for any reason due to terrorism and kidnapping. Extremist groups, including an active separatist movement, have conducted deadly terrorist attacks. They target civilians, foreign nationals, religious minorities, government offices, and security forces. Do not travel to Balochistan Province for any reason due to terrorism and kidnapping. Assassination and kidnapping attempts are common. Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad and for Victims of
▶Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, including the former FATA
Do not travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province for any reason due to terrorism and kidnapping. Active terrorist and insurgent groups routinely conduct attacks. They target civilians, non-governmental organizations, government offices, and security forces. These groups historically have targeted both government officials and civilians. Assassination and kidnapping attempts are common. Terrorists target polio eradication teams and Government of Pakistan security services, like police and military st
▶Vicinity of Line of Control
Do not travel to the Line of Control for any reason due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict. Militant groups are known to operate in the area. India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on their respective sides of the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir. The only official Pakistan-India border crossing point for people who are not citizens of Pakistan or India is in the Province of Punjab between Wagah, Pakistan, and Atari, India. Confirm the status of
Pakistan has 3 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Pakistan has an overall threat severity of 7.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 7.0/10, terrorism risk 9.0/10, and kidnapping risk 5.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 35/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
Language
Urdu / English
Notable restrictions:
- Drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- E-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: high
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- alertGlobal Polio: Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines.
- watchGlobal Dengue: Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- infoXDR Typhoid Fever in Pakistan: An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan is ongoing. Extensively drug-resistant infections do not respond to most antibiotics.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Pakistan
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Pakistan?
▶Is it safe to travel to Pakistan right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan?
▶What vaccines do I need for Pakistan?
▶Is Pakistan safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Pakistan?
More Pakistan Data
Partly Free — 35/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.