Pakistan Foreign Office welcomed the ease in the latest USA travel advisory for Pakistan that acknowledged the ‘improved security situation’ in the country.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office herald the recognition of the US of the improved security situation in Pakistan as a step in the ‘right direction’. It has, however, maintained strict travel restrictions on its citizens from traveling to KP, particularly FATA, Balochistan and adjoining areas of LOC in Kashmir. The US travel advisory barred citizens from visiting these areas due to heavy military deployments on both sides of the LOC and propensity of military confrontation and assaults from insurgents in FATA and Balochistan.
Pakistan has noted the update in the U.S. Travel Advisory, which has acknowledged that “Pakistan’s security environment has improved.” This is a step in the right direction.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 31, 2020
The realization of the improved security situation by the US is significant for Pakistan in the light of numerous ‘do more’ demands from the former to counter terrorism in the past. This also reflects a reinvigoration of Pak-US ties confirming the fact that despite challenges and ebb and flow in the bilateral relations, Pak and the USA are inseparable partners.
Furthermore, the UN has, also, declared Pakistan a family station for its employees indicating the international community’s increased confidence in Pakistan. It first declared Pakistan a family station in June last year.
Read more: British High Commission upgrades Pakistan travel advisory to ‘safe’
The USA eased travel restrictions for Pakistan following the British High Commission’s travel advisory report update declaring Pakistan safe for travel and tourism for its citizens given the improved security outlook.
The government of Pakistan including Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed the encouraging outlook of the British High Commission.
UK visitors can now travel on Karakoram Highway but can bypass the section from Mansehra to Chillas and can take the route from Kaghan Valley and Babusar Pass
The latest travel advice is a boon for the formative tourism sector in the country, which is undergoing a phase of extensive development and upgrades.
The UK changed its travel advice for Pakistan after five years. The latest travel advice now allows their citizens to travel to north Pakistan by road up to Kailash and Bamboret Valleys.
The substantial upgrade in travel advice by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office followed a comprehensive analysis of Pakistan’s security situation.
Read more: 2019 – Year of Tourism Success in Pakistan
The positive travel advice by the British High Commission is the third breakthrough for the country since June last year. In June 2019, British Airways resumed its direct operations for Pakistan. Then in October, Pakistan hosted a five-day high-profile maiden visit of Britain’s royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton to the country.
UK travel advice change: pleased that 🇬🇧 nationals will be able to see more of what 🇵🇰 has to offer pic.twitter.com/BvNYE6erX1
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) January 24, 2020
According to the British High Commission, the above-mentioned milestones prompted a positive analysis for the country. The British High Commission reduced travel restrictions on the full route from Islamabad to Gilgit. Visitors from the UK can now travel on Karakoram Highway but can bypass the section from Mansehra to Chillas and can take the route from Kaghan Valley and Babusar Pass. However, as mentioned earlier, they have maintained a strict travel restriction on KP and Balochistan.
“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,” the statement said. “Among other changes, the advice now allows for travel by road to the North of Pakistan as well as the Kalash and Bamboret Valleys,” the high commission said.
The recent upgrade in the UK travel advisory report for Pakistan is to allow the UK citizens to explore more of Pakistan, its northern areas, asserted the British High Commission to Pakistan, Christian Turner.