Safety Tips for Foreigners in Pakistan

"Since 2007, over 1,000 bombings have killed more than 1,000 people throughout Pakistan and injured many more. Some of the attacks have occurred outside major hotels, in market areas and other locations frequented by Americans. Other recent targets have included restaurants, Pakistani government officials and buildings, and international NGOs... In 2007 and 2008, several American citizens throughout Pakistan were kidnapped for ransom or for personal reasons."

U.S. Embassy Islamabad - Travel Warning October 1, 2008

In light of the recent updated Travel Warning as well as increasing security concerns for foreigners in Pakistan, here are some tips to keep safe in turbulent times.

Blend In

Try to not look like a foreigner. For some of us, that is easier than others. Many men in Pakistan wear Western clothes, put they don't necessarily wear shorts or dress in a casual American style. Try to match their style and fashion sense. That means you'll usually have to wear business casual. Men should opt to wear traditional dress if all other men in the area prefer to wear shalwar kameez. 99% of women in Pakistan do not wear Western clothes, so foreign women are much better off wearing shalwar kameez including the dupatta or scarf. Always have a large dupatta with you to cover yourself in public places. The more Pakistani you look, the less people will bother you. Dye your hair darker, wear big sunglasses, observe the way people walk and talk and imitate. If you don't speak a local language, learn at least a few phrases in Urdu that you can use to try to blend in and gain the respect of the locals.

Go Local

Suicide bombers often target locales frequented by foreigners. Say goodbye to dining at the American Club and KFC, and eat local instead. There are plenty of local restaurants and cafes that offer high quality food and great ambiance. The less foreigners eating there, the better. Only go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when absolutely necessary, as these may also be terrorist targets. Bank locally or chose an international bank based in an Arab country rather than a European country. Avoid fancy designer label stores based in the U.S or Europe. Go for the knock offs at the local market instead. You'll be safer and you'll save money.

Shop on Sundays

Most attacks tend to happen in crowded areas during peak business or shopping hours. Although many places close on Sundays, grocery and department store chains are generally open. These include HKB, Pace, Pot Purri, Gourmet, Shezan and others. Shop on a Sunday morning when you'll be sure to find a parking space and the chance of a terrorist attack are low. Most areas also have Sunday markets where you can buy produce, clothing, and household products at discounted prices. These markets are frequented by locals, many of who are of the poorest socioeconomic class. It would be a very unlikely place for a bomb to go off. If you can't do shopping on Sundays, try to do your errands early in the morning when offices are just opening up rather than during busy afternoons or evenings.

Stay Home

There are certain times when it's just not worth going out. Friday afternoons during prayer, or shortly after, is prime time for sectarian violence. Wait until 4 or 5, check the news, and then go out. Shops and everything else are closed during prayer time on Fridays anyway. Avoid rallies, demonstrations, and celebrations of public holidays. Schedule meetings and get togethers in suburban areas rather than in central areas of cities. Avoid going out on religious holidays or during times of political tension.

Read the Local News

Keep in tune with local news via a subscription or the web. Make sure you know what's been going on in your city and what areas to stay away from. Aside from reading the news, trust the locals' opinions.

You may not always be able to "vary your routes and times," as the U.S. Embassy advises, but you should be able to follow these simple tips to stay safe in Pakistan.