Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Terrorism is much less a concern than it is used be, especially in Islamabad. Additionally, in the areas where the expats usually live, there are plenty of private and governmental armed guards, checkpoints and vehicles. Pakistan is a very conservative and religious country, so modesty is expected from women in order to avoid issues with the locals. Generally, showing prudence regarding big gatherings of people, avoiding dodgy neighborhoods, etc helps to avoid unnecessary complications. - Oct 2023
The only time I ever felt unsafe in Islamabad was when pushing off advances of colleagues during happy hour. Pakistan still suffers from religiously-motivated violence and terrorism, but in my opinion it is exceedingly rare to see any member of a foreign diplomatic mission targeted or even caught up in one of those incidents. There are occasional incidents of violent street crime, but exponentially fewer than in Paris, London, Rio de JANEIRO, or D.C. When we weren’t allowed to walk on the streets in our extremely fancy and expensive residential neighborhoods (not to mitigate the risk posed by terrorism but rather because of the risk of being pickpocketed) we all just laughed. Basically, people hoping to bid ON Islamabad because they want to pocket danger pay better hope no one objective ever actually looks at the security situation because we’d lose it in a heartbeat. - Jun 2022
This is a Priority Staffing Post (PSP), don't be surprised when there are many heightened security postures. - Feb 2019
Kidnapping, bombing, etc. - Jan 2017
You should be aware of your surroundings as you would anywhere. Islamabad itself is very calm but the armed guards at many houses and the checkpoints throughout the city will remind you that things can and do happen occasionally. That said, I never felt unsafe while in Pakistan. - Sep 2016
Of course there are, but not as much as you would think. Police/military checkpoints and "tesco" barriers will intimidate you at first, but Islamabad is actually far safer than the rest of Pakistan. Terrorist attacks were frequent in 2007-2009, but they're rare these days in the capital. Violent political demonstrations, usually 3-4 times a year, are a more real concern and will sometimes lead to embassy lockdowns. On the other hand, common street crimes are very rare. - Sep 2015
It's a pretty dangerous place. We have had several lockdowns. Right now is a period of freedom. but several locations are off limits. - Aug 2015
yes - Aug 2015
We have probably 15 armed guards within 50 yards of our house including a machine gun nest. We've been on lockdown about 2 weeks total over the last year. - Apr 2014
Yes considerable. Life in the U.S. Embassy is largely dictated by security rules. - Feb 2014
There is an armed guard 24/7 in your yard and barbed wire everywhere. There is excitement almost every Friday after prayer, many demonstrations which can turn violent / deadly (more in Karachi than in Islamabad). Ashura (9th & 10th Moharrum – usually around November) is deadly for shias. I left in June 2013, we had lots of freedom then but I've heard that security has tightened and embassy personnel have now many more restrictions. - Dec 2013
Fear, I guess. There's a real siege mentality that the Pakistani government, especially the military, like to encourage. It keeps Westerners from getting out and exploring the country. The violence is generally political, and terrorists did have some terrible successes, but you're more likely to get mugged or killed in Rio or Johannesburg. - Mar 2012
You are surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards and armored vehicles and security checkpoints and whatnot. Osama bin Laden lived 30km up the road from here. - Aug 2011
Yes. While Islamabad gives the appearance of security and police control -- with checkpoints and officers everywhere -- the city is full of negative potential. The biggest threat is complacency. People think the city is safe and start getting into routines, go to questionable areas, or act in a manner that draws attention to themselves. Women do not need to wear a head covering however skirts and tank tops are a very bad idea. You will be stared at and highlight yourself. There was very little street crime against Westerners. I can think of only 1 minor incident during my time there. - May 2011
Yes and no. There is very little crime in Islamabad, if any at all. You never have to worry about a carjacking, being mugged/robbed, having your car stolen or anything like that. I've never heard of any kind of personal crime there. The only concern is bombings/terrorist attacks. I know it sounds scary, but there aren't a lot in Islamabad itself, and the chances of being near one when it happens are minimal. So, if you can get over the psychological concern of terrorism it's actually a pretty safe place to live. There are checkpoints all over Islamabad, which are annoying but really helpful for security. It's just part of the daily commute. And they are always changing, so it's a fun game to figure out the quickest way to work with the fewest checkpoints each week. - Jan 2010
In Islamabad, you need to be mindful of opportunistic threats. But generally, if you are well-dressed and behaving respectfully, and if you are able to use basic Urdu, there will be no issues. - Oct 2009
Numerous. Security concerns have been steadily increasing since at least early 2007.The December 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto was followed by the bombing of a popular expat restaurant (Luna Caprese) in a thickly settled residential/shopping sector, the bombing of the Marriott Hotel on September 20, 2008, the attempted kidnapping of the American Consul General in Peshawar, and several other kidnappings of foreigners including Chinese and Polish technical staff, followed by a suicide attack on a large police military installation on the outskirts of the city. In the short period I have been here, the airport has been shut down twice due to bomb threats. Given security barricades, it is difficult to navigate the roads of this otherwise well laid out city given the increase in the security presence. Activities are severely curtailed at this time. The UN has downgraded the security level to Level 3 and UN spokespeople have been quoted as saying that the only places the UN is on a higher level of alert are Baghdad and one other place I can"t recall at the moment. - Oct 2008
