R 021124Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0921
INFO AMCONSUL KARACHI 
AMCONSUL LAHORE 
AMCONSUL PESHAWAR

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000008 
 
 
FOR DS/OSAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT APER ASEC
SUBJECT: ISLAMABAD ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY 
COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORTS 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
 
¶1. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
(U) Due to on-going concerns about the possibility of 
terrorist activity directed against American citizens and 
interests, the Department of State continues to advise U.S. 
citizens to defer non-essential travel to Pakistan. Family 
members of official Americans assigned to the Embassy in 
Islamabad and to the three consulates in Pakistan were 
ordered to leave the country in March 2002 and have not been 
allowed to return.  U.S. Consulate Peshawar instituted a 
drawdown of non-essential personnel in November 2008. 
 
(U) Continued U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq 
and ongoing Government of Pakistan efforts to curb an 
extremist insurgency have all contributed to increased 
Anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. Operations by the 
Pakistani military against insurgents along the 
Afghan-Pakistani border have resulted in a backlash of 
terrorist actions directed against President Asif Ali 
Zardari's government and its police force. As these 
operations continue it is expected that reprisals will 
increase in kind.  Continued reporting from an array of 
sources suggests numerous non-specific threats stemming from 
the remnants of the Taliban, splinter cells of Al-Qaida, and 
militants sympathetic to their cause. 
 
(U) Overall criminal activity in Islamabad increased this 
past calendar year.  There are occasional reports from the 
American community at large of residential break-ins.   U.S. 
Embassy personnel have on a few occasions reported that while 
out in town, local individuals have made anti-American slurs 
to them, though these incidents have yet to turn violent. 
Islamabad is a city under development with a population of 
one and a half million. As the city grows in size and 
population, so does the crime rate.  The neighboring city of 
Rawalpindi with its population over three million, has a 
higher rate of crime.  As the Pakistani economy continues to 
worsen and the shortage of energy, fuel and food grows, it is 
anticipated that the rate of crime will increase across the 
country. 
 
(SBU) The roads in Islamabad and between major cities are 
paved and adequate.  However, in outlying areas the roads may 
be unpaved.  There are a high number of vehicle accidents in 
Islamabad involving U.S. Embassy personnel.  This is due to 
Americans' inexperience of driving on the left side of the 
road, poorly trained and unskilled local drivers as well as 
local conditions such as pedestrians walking in the road 
without looking for oncoming traffic.  Driving at night 
outside the city is not safe due to the large number of 
individuals, carts, and cattle that travel along the unlit 
roads. 
 
¶2. Political Violence: 
 
(U) Over the past 30 years there has been a history of 
political violence in Pakistan of targeting U.S. and Western 
interests as well as sectarian violence.  In 1979 a mob of 
demonstrators burned down the U.S. Embassy. There have been 
attacks against U.S. diplomatic personnel in Pakistan with 
the number increasing substantially in 2008.  In 2002, a 
suicide bomber attacked a Protestant International Church in 
Islamabad a quarter of a mile from the U.S. Embassy killing 
five people.  In December 2007, former Prime Minister, 
Benazir Bhutto, was killed during an attack in Rawalpindi 
sparking protests and riots across the country.  In January 
2008, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed 26 (22 of whom 
were police officers) and injured 70 in Lahore.  In February 
2008, a motorcycle suicide bomber crashed into a Pakistani 
Armed Forces bus in Rawalpindi killing 11, injuring 45.  In 
March 2008, a car bomb destroyed the FIA building in Lahore, 
killing 25.  In March 2008, a satchel bomb detonated at a 
restaurant in Islamabad killing 1 and injuring 4 U.S. Embassy 
personnel.  In June 2008, a suicide car bomb detonated at the 
Danish Embassy.  In July 2008, an explosion at the Melody 
Market in Islamabad killed 20 and injured 40.  In August 
2008, over 50 people were killed when two suicide bombers 
detonated themselves simultaneously at a Pakistan weapons 
ordnance factory in Wah, near Rawalpindi.  In August 2008, 
the U.S. Principal Officer in Peshawar was the target of an 
organized gun attack.  In September 2008, over 50 people were 
killed, including 3 U.S. Embassy employees and over 250 were 
injured when a truck carrying over two thousand pounds of 
explosives was detonated outside the Marriott Hotel in 
Islamabad.  In November 2008, an American working for a 
non-government organization was shot and killed in Peshawar. 
 
(U)  There are significant threats to foreign interests in 
Pakistan, both from entities aligned with or sympathetic to 
the Taliban and Al-Qaida.   All major western nations, 
including the United States, have issued travel advisories 
recommending against non-essential travel to Pakistan. 
 
(U) The issue of spontaneous demonstrations is an ongoing 
concern.  In February 2006, 250 demonstrators forced their 
way onto the diplomatic enclave and came within one kilometer 
of the U.S. Embassy.  The demonstrators were stopped by 
police using tear gas.  There were demonstrations of up to 
10,000 people in Islamabad after Danish newspapers published 
a cartoon depiction of the prophet Mohammed that many Muslims 
viewed as anti-Islamic.  In August 2006 anti-U.S./Israel 
demonstrations occurred three to four times a week with 
crowds of up to 5,000 after Israeli launched a military 
operation into Lebanon.  In 2008, demonstrators gathered 
frequently to protest the removal of the judges.  These 
demonstrations, while mostly peaceful, can turn violent with 
little or no warning.  Another concern is the presence of 
extremist militants within the otherwise peaceful crowd of 
demonstrators. 
 
(SBU) Quite often on Friday afternoons there are 
demonstrations in Islamabad. Particularly in the G-6 area by 
some of the local mosques and the Aabpara Market area.  While 
these are normally peaceful, the police are out in force to 
control the situation because the potential for violence 
always exists. 
 
¶3. Post-Specific Concerns: 
 
(U)  Pakistan is subject to earthquakes in the north and west 
regions of the country. A severe earthquake occurred on 
October 8, 2005 and is responsible for an estimated death 
toll of 87,000 persons.  While the earthquake in 2005 was 
felt throughout most of Pakistan, the northern frontier and 
Kashmir regions of Pakistan sustained the greatest damage and 
loss of life. Substantial aftershocks and landslides have 
occurred in these areas. In October 2008, an earthquake 
occurred in the Balochistan Province causing death and 
destruction to the inhabitants of the area.  Additionally, 
the Indus River is prone to flooding after heavy rains 
especially during the monsoon season of July and August. 
 
 (SBU) Industrial safety does not meet U.S. standards and 
pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste in the water 
and air is widespread. Air pollution, exacerbated in the 
winter months is at levels which may cause severe irritation 
and discomfort to individuals suffering from asthma or other 
respiratory disorders. 
 
(SBU) Public transportation and driving in Pakistan can be 
extremely hazardous. Mission policy prohibits the use of 
public transportation and taxis by post personnel for a 
number of reasons. Vehicle maintenance, driver skills, and 
general lack of road safety awareness by operators are all of 
concern.  Although there have been no incidences of 
kidnapping of Americans or Westerners in Islamabad, reporting 
from an array of sources has brought the threat onto the 
radar.  The Mission reminds its personnel that it is 
paramount they continue their vigilance with regards to their 
surroundings to ensure their personal security. 
 
¶4. Police Response: 
 
(SBU) The police services in Pakistan are below the 
professional standards in the U.S. Lack of training, 
resources and low salaries of police officers contribute to 
the problem.  Police response times in Islamabad are usually 
within 15 minutes.  The local police emergency numbers in 
Islamabad are 920-3333 or 15.  If there is a language 
barrier, U.S. citizens can contact American Citizen Services 
at the U.S. embassy via the main embassy switchboard at 
92-51-208-0000. U.S. citizens may also use this number should 
they be arrested or have any interaction with the police 
which may require assistance. 
 
(SBU) The government of Pakistan has taken measures to curb 
the indigenous and transnational terrorist threat in 
Pakistan, to include banning Islamic fundamentalist 
literature and groups engaging in violent practices and 
rhetoric. Furthermore, the government of Pakistan has 
increased the security countermeasures and precautions taken 
for high-level Government officials, diplomats, and areas 
frequented by westerners. 
 
¶5. Medical Emergencies: 
 
(SBU) Emergency medical care in Pakistan is only available in 
major cities. Most Pakistani hospitals possess limited 
advanced life support equipment and are not up to US 
standards. Travelers should arrange for medical evacuation 
insurance personally or through their sponsoring agency prior 
to arriving in Pakistan. The following is a list of hospitals 
used by embassy personnel in the Islamabad area: 
 
a. Shifa International Hospital 
   Sector H 8/4 
   Phone; 444-6801-32 
   Emergency Room: ext 3010/3090 
 
(SBU) Shifa International is the preferred, well-equipped 
western-style hospital with 24-hour emergency room staffing 
located approximately 15 minutes from the U.S. Embassy. Many 
of the physicians have been trained in the United States or 
United Kingdom. Shifa International is a good resource for 
general medical problems, but is limited in pediatric care. 
 
b. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) - Adult 
Hospital 
   Sector G 8/3 
   Phone: 926-1170/1269; emergency extension: 2201/2 
   Hotline: 051-926-1268 (1269) 
 
(SBU) PIMS is the best resource for pediatric emergencies and 
disorders. 
 
Medical Evacuations: 
 
(SBU) Air ambulance information is offered only as a guide 
and is not a recommendation of one service over another. 
Travelers are encouraged to research the availability of 
other air ambulance services and to make an informed choice 
based on individual needs and requirements. 
 
AAA Air Ambulance Anywhere - United States 
phone: 727-934-3999 (for emergencies, call collect) 
fax:   727-937-0276 
toll free:  1-800-327-196 
 
AEA International Alarm Centers - Singapore 
phone: 65-6338-7800 
Fax:   65-6338-7611 
internet:  www.internationalsos.com 
 
¶6. Travel precautions: 
 
(SBU) Situational awareness and common sense are imperative 
for your personal safety. Avoid the appearance of carrying 
large sums of money, dress conservatively and do not draw 
attention to yourself. Avoid high-risk areas, crowds, and 
civil disturbances. When traveling, do not be time and place 
predictable.  Varying your routes and departure/arrival times 
is vital to your safety.  If you feel that you are being 
followed or threatened in any way, go immediately to a safe 
place such as a government building that has police/security 
forces.  Maintaining a low profile is important.  Avoid 
wearing clothing that identifies you as an American. 
 
(SBU) Whether you are driving or riding as a passenger, use 
extreme caution, expect the unexpected, and drive 
defensively. Road signs and traffic lights are often ignored. 
 Traffic lights at intersections are often out due to the 
power shortage.  Proceed through these intersections with 
caution.  Wear seat belts in front and rear seats, ensure 
doors are locked, and insist that a safe speed is maintained. 
Fire-fighting resources are lacking and it is advised that if 
you stay in a high-rise hotel, try to keep to the lower 
floors.  With that being said, current Mission policy states 
that all hotels in Islamabad are off limits to U.S. Embassy 
personnel. 
 
(SBU) Many Americans and Westerners employ private security 
guard services for their residences and offices. They are 
less trained than those in the U.S. The following 
deficiencies are typical of such security services in 
Pakistan: poor quality of personnel attributed to low wages, 
little training, and limited supervision.  What the 
contracting firm fails to supply in the way of equipment, the 
individual guard looks to the occupant to provide (i.e. 
heater, fan, water, and even supplemental income).  The major 
contract security guard services in Pakistan area: SMS, 
Phoenix Security Services, and Ashkari guards. 
 
¶7. For further information: 
 
Embassy contact information: 
 
Embassy main switchboard: 011-92-51-208-0000 
 
Regional Security Office - Islamabad: 011-92-51-208-2203 
 
¶8.  OSAC Country Council 
 
RSO Islamabad briefs U.S. private sector personnel when 
requested, although the establishment of a council for 
Islamabad is currently in the planning stages. 
 
 
PATTERSON