Is Pakistan Safe In 2026?
- Alexander
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Is Pakistan Safe to Visit in 2026?
Pakistan seems to be a destination between two worlds. On one hand, more and more travelers are talking about the country and sharing photos of its stunning landscapes and the incredible hospitality of its people. On the other hand, headlines often focus on geopolitics and security concerns, leaving the impression that the entire country is dangerous or inaccessible.
Now how is the Safety situation actually? Can you still visit this country or is it too dangerous after all?
In this guide, I’ll break down the safety situation in Pakistan in 2026 based on my own experience after spending a month traveling across the country, as well as insights and information from local friends.
📖 Background Information
Back in the 1960s Pakistan was a well-known travel destination and part of the so-called “Hippie-Trail”. At the time, thousands of young Western backpackers traveled overland through the country as part of their journey from Europe to India and Nepal.
This era of tourism came to an end with the Indo-Pakistani War in 1971 and later the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which made overland travel through the region extremely difficult. Pakistan’s reputation suffered even further after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Following the war in neighboring Afghanistan, militant groups became more active in parts of Pakistan, particularly in the tribal areas along the Afghan border. Several major cities also experienced terrorist attacks during this period, which led many governments to issue strict travel warnings.
As a result, Pakistan almost completely disappeared from the international tourism map. Many travelers avoided the country entirely, and negative media coverage reinforced the perception of Pakistan as an unsafe destination.
Only in recent years has Pakistan slowly begun opening up to tourism again. Improved security, government initiatives, and the rise of travel influencers sharing their experiences online have helped bring the country back into the spotlight, gradually reviving international interest in visiting Pakistan.
🔗 Travelling through Pakistan? Check out:
Pakistan Travel Guide
Table of Contents
💼 Tourism in Pakistan today
Over the past few months, my Instagram feed has been flooded with posts about Pakistan and its hospitality, the stunning landscapes, as well as the safety situation. In 2025, roughly 3.5 Million foreigners visited Pakistan, which is an 85% increase to the previous year.
While I’m happy to see so much love for this country and its growing popularity, many of these posts are pure clickbait, often trying to get you to join overpriced travel groups.
I completely agree that Pakistan not only has some of the most breathtaking landscapes and dramatic mountains, but also some of the most hospitable people on earth.
However, simply promoting the country because it’s trendy and ignoring all potential risks is just as misleading as publishing only negative articles about safety. Visiting Pakistan comes with its own share of risks, and it would be irresponsible for me to tell you to ignore all news and just go.
🗺️ Safety by Area
Pakistan is a diverse country, both culturally and geographically, and safety varies widely depending on the region. Here’s a breakdown of the main areas:
"Safe" to visit
⚠️ Disclaimer: The “Safe” category does not mean you should entirely ignore current travel warnings or visit without doing further research. While I consider these areas generally suitable for tourism, unexpected incidents can still occur.
Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan has some of the most beautiful mountains in Pakistan and arguably in the world. Luckily, it is also considered one of the safest regions in the country for tourists. The crime rate is relatively low, and many newly married couples even come to Hunza, the most well-known city in the area, for their honeymoon.
There is essentially only one main road through Gilgit-Baltistan, which later splits toward Skardu and Hunza (later to the Chinese border). Police checkpoints are very common andI had to show my passport roughly 30 times in a week. At each checkpoint police officer write down your passport details, so if a tourist ever goes missing, they can track their last known location.
However one thing I learned about this region is that once it starts raining in doesn’t stop. Combined with the poor road conditions, heavy rain can trigger landslides that block the road for several hours up to a couple of days.
⚠️ One exception here is the village of Chilās. The town is kinda sketchy and you might want to avoid it during night time. Dawn.com wrote an article about this village back in 2013 called “Why I hate Chilas”.
Islamabad, Lahore and Punjab Province
Islamabad is a modern, clean, and relatively calm city compared to other major cities in Pakistan. The streets are wide, and traffic is generally manageable.
The city is divided into several districts, and if you want to feel extra safe, I’d recommend staying in higher-class areas like E-11 or F-6 to F-11. These neighborhoods often have gated communities, meaning only residents and their guests can enter certain areas. This doesn’t mean the rest of Islamabad is unsafe but it’s a tip if you want an extra layer of comfort.
Islamabad is also surprisingly liberal compared to the rest of the country. To the point where you find groups of young women feeling safe enough to smoke Shisha next to groups of men. Something I personally did not expect to see after my first impression of Karachi.
Lahore, on the other hand, feels busier and louder. The city has experienced terrorist attacks in the past (the most recent at the time of writing was in April 2017), and a friend of mine, who has traveled solo across Pakistan, was robbed there. I don’t mention this to scare you, but to be transparent: incidents like these can happen. That said, the risk is comparable to many major cities worldwide, like London or Paris.
Beyond the capital and Lahore, much of Punjab province (the area around these cities) is also considered safe for tourists. Cities like Faisalabad, Multan, and smaller towns are generally stable, and rural areas are always very welcoming.
Relatively Safe to visit
Karachi
Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and among the 20th biggest cities world wide. When you leave the city, you’ll see around 20 signs in a span of 10 km saying “You now leave Karachi ”and yet you haven’t really left, because the city is just so massive.
Safety in Karachi depends heavily on the neighborhood. Popular areas like Clifton, Defence (DHA), and parts of Saddar are generally safe for tourists, with hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas well-patrolled. However, some districts have higher crime rates and should be avoided at night, and petty theft or scams can occur even in safer areas.
💡For a more detailed describtion of Karachi check out my Guide:
How to Travel to Karachi, Pakistan – The Ultimate Travel Guide
Kalash Valley
The Kalash Valley is a remote and culturally unique region in northern Pakistan, home to the Kalash people, who have preserved their distinct traditions, festivals, and language. Like in Gilgit-Baltistan, the roads to the valley are not the most modern, and there are several checkpoints along the way.
The region has a very low crime rate, no history of terrorism and the main safety risks are enviromental, including landslides, river crossing or extreme weather.
Sindh
Sindh (outside Karachi) is generally safe for travelers in urban and well-known areas. Cities like Hyderabad and Thatta can be visited safely during the day, especially around tourist sites, markets, and local attractions.
Due to higher rates of poverty petty theft can occur more often than in Punjab, yet violent crime is rather rare.
Peshawar
Peshawar is a historic city at the edge of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While some districts near the border remain sensitive, the city center and popular markets are generally safe for visitors. Like in other large cities, petty theft can occur. In case you continue to Afghanistan, you’ll pass through Peshawar and may also get your Afghanistani Visa here.
Rather Unsafe to visit
Balochistan
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest and most sparsely populated province. While it is home to stunning desert landscapes, mountains, and archaeological sites, much of the region is politically sensitive and has ongoing security concerns. Travel in large parts of Balochistan is not recommended for foreign tourists, as violent incidents, kidnappings, and unrest can occur in remote areas. Even major cities like Quetta are better avoided. In case you are coming from Iran there is a chance you might even get a police escort.
Federally Administered Tribel Areas (FATA)
FATA is a very sensitive area to to their their proximity to the Afghan border and history of militant activity. It’s the least developed area in Pakistan and even the government only has semi-control over the area.
📰 Recent Events and Regional Tensions
⚠️ While I try to keep this blog as up to date as possible, I may not always be aware of the most recent events.
Conflict with India:
In 2025, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a deadly militant attack in Kashmir. Both countries temporarily closed their airspace to each other’s airlines, forcing flights to take longer routes and causing disruptions across the region. For travelers, this mainly resulted in flight delays up to a week and schedule changes rather than safety issues on the ground.
Afghanistan:
Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan has also experienced periodic clashes in recent years. Cross-border fighting between Pakistani forces and militants operating from Afghan territory occasionally leads to temporary border closures and increased military presence near the frontier. In March 2026 Pakistan declared war against the Taliban, leading to even more conflict in the future.
Airspace / Israel and Iran:
Another factor that can affect travel is conflict in the wider Middle East. Airspace closures caused by regional tensions, such as the Israel-Iran confrontation, have occasionally forced airlines to cancel or reroute flights across the region, including routes connected to Pakistan. This can lead to sudden flight changes or delays even if the situation inside Pakistan remains stable.
🚗 Driving independently
Driving in Pakistan is insane and additionally you drive on the left side of the road due to the UK-impact and colonization of the country. The roads are in a bad shape outside of the cities. You can easily hire a private driver for an affordable rate or use public transportation. If you really want to get your own vehicle though I’d recommend getting a motor scooter. Have plenty of copies with you of your passport and driver’s license additionally to your visa.
💂 Armed Guards and Escorts
Armed guards and security forces are a common sight across Pakistan, both in cities and rural areas. You’ll see them at hotels, roadside stops, museums, monuments, and mosques. Seeing armed forces is nothing unusual there and they’ll be part of your entire trip.
When hiring a personal driver or renting your own car there is also a good Chance you’ll get a private Escort since the Police wants to make sure no foreigners experience any harm.
The downside is that you may occasionally need to wait until an escort vehicle becomes available before continuing your journey. This can slow down travel plans, particularly in regions with stricter security procedures. This may happen to you all over Pakistan, but most likely in Gilgit-Baltistan as well as Balochistan.
Final Thoughts
Safety in Pakistan is a complicated topic. If it weren’t, you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog post right now.
Overall large parts of the country are far safer than many people assume. At the same time, it would be wrong to ignore the challenges that still exist.
Some regions remain sensitive, infrastructure can be unpredictable, and you need to be prepared for changing conditions at any time.
Pakistan is not a destination for careless travel. It requires planning, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt. But for those who approach it with respect, awareness, and realistic expectations, it can be one of the most rewarding countries to explore.
🔗 A Full Guide to Travel Pakistan
Alex
Welcome off the beaten path!
I’m Alex, a 23 year old traveler who loves to explore the corners of the world, that still seem to be untouched. In this Blog I want to share my experiences with you.
