The United Kingdom has changed its travel advice on Friday to reflect the improved security situation in Pakistan.
The announcement is the result of a comprehensive review of UK travel advice for Pakistan, based on a wide-ranging assessment of the country’s security situation. This is the first major update in the travel advice since 2015, read the statement issued by the British High Commission in Pakistan.
The improved security situation allowed for the return of British Airways to Pakistan in June 2019 and the visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in October 2019. Among other changes, the advice now allows for travel by road to the North of Pakistan as well as the Kalash and Bamboret Valleys.
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Dr Christian Turner, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, said, “Following my arrival in December 2019, I made this review of the travel advice a priority. It is great credit to the hard work of the government of Pakistan in delivering improved security over the past five years. I am delighted that British nationals will be able to see more of what Pakistan has to offer.”
In a video message earlier this month, Deputy Commissioner Upper Dir Khalid Iqbal Khattak had told tourists to adopt a number of precautionary measures to avoid any trouble during snowfall in the northern areas.
He had issued this statement after a road accident in Malam Jabba. He had said he himself checked roads everyday so that tourists do not face any trouble.
“Tourists should tie iron chains to the tires of their vehicle to avoid slipping. They should keep additional fuel after filling their vehicle’s tank as well as food with them,” he had said.
Khalid Iqbal Khattak had said additional police force had been posted on roads for assisting the tourists and maintaining law and order situation. He had said machinery was present all the time for clearance of roads.