Pakistan : Safety by CityIslamabad is and has been the capital of Pakistan since 1963.
Islamabad, as compared to other big to medium-sized cities of Pakistan, has still somewhat maintained its reputation of being a quiet and peaceful city.
The weather is pleasant throughout the year.
The traffic is less, as compared to other cities in Pakistan and is also more organized.
People from almost all provinces live here and are friendly.
The suburbs in Islamabad are the same everywhere.
The size of the houses could be different but the shape and look and feel of the surrounding will be more or less the same.
Warnings & Dangers in Islamabad
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Islamabad is, in general, a safe and calm city. But, with poverty flooding the country, it does have many dangers. Your biggest risks are shootings, bombings, and terrorist attacks.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Tourists are advised to take be extra careful at the airport itself. Avoid all forms of public transportation including taxis and buses: if at all possible, arrange with the people you're staying with to pick you up from the airport.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Petty street crime is somewhat of an issue in Islamabad and tourists are strongly advised against carrying valuables with them while on the streets: passports, bank cards, bags, jewelry, laptops, mobile phones, iPads and anything else you can think of should be left at home.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
As for natural disasters, Islamabad is susceptible to a couple of them that have hit in the past, like heatwaves, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. Monitor the situation and follow the advice from the authorities.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Violent crime rates are pretty low in Islamabad when it comes to armed robbery, robbery, carjacking, kidnappings, home invasion, and even murder. Men can walk safely anywhere in Islamabad, while women can too, but they'll often attract the unwanted attention of men. Apart from that, you're safe.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Islamabad. The biggest threat comes from Tehrik-e Taleban Pakistan, which is an umbrella organization of groups based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. TTP carry out attacks throughout Pakistan, and the attacks are usually carried out using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), including suicide attacks.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There are scammers in Islamabad trying to take advantage of tourists, and the situation with scams is similar as in any other city. Be wary when handling money and of anyone trying to distract you. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Women shouldn't let their guard down in Islamabad. Women walking alone, be it day or night, will attract the unwanted attention of men and passers-by. Apply all precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations.
So... How Safe Is Islamabad Really?
Though it has been said that Pakistan as a whole is a very dangerous country, it should be noted that Islamabad is rather safe.
The biggest fear for foreigners in Islamabad, when it comes to safety, is because this country has suffered from several bomb attacks during the last couple of years, and they were aimed against security forces, so-called western institutions.
Most recently, there was an explosion at a fruit market on 9 April 2014 and terrorists attacked a court in the F8 on 3 March 2014.
But the reality is quite different and the city is pretty safe.
You can go outside easily during the late midnight hours and can have a walk alone and of course, you can hang out until midnight.
Women that walk the streets alone will attract male attention, especially in areas of the city not often frequented by westerners.
If you visit these parts of the city, its good to be in a group, and avoid dimly lit streets.
Tourists are also strongly advised against visiting political gatherings, as – though it’s a country filled with friendly people – these gatherings might escalate into a protest that can turn violent and in some cases deadly.
How Does Islamabad Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Islamabad | 41 |
| Lahore | 57 |
| Karachi | 41 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most countries do need a visa to enter Islamabad. Some travelers can get a visa on arrival if traveling as part of a group tour, or for business. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your stay in Pakistan. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Pakistani embassy for further information.
Currency
The Pakistani rupee is the official currency in Islamabad. There are ATMs in Lahore and Islamabad and they accept foreign credit cards. Top-end establishments accept credit cards, but you are advised to bring cash with you.
Weather
Islamabad climate can be divided into three seasons: winter, which lasts from November to March, which is warm and affected by sea breezes on the coast, summer that lasts from April to July, with extreme temperatures and the monsoon season that lasts from July to September.
Airports
Islamabad International Airport is the main international airport in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. It is built 20 km outside the twin cities near the Kashmir Highway and Motorway Interchange.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Islamabad, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Islamabad Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 26 | 17 | 21 | 27 | 32 | 36 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 18 |
| Low °C | 2 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 3 |
| High °F | 79 | 63 | 70 | 81 | 90 | 97 | 91 | 88 | 88 | 84 | 73 | 64 |
| Low °F | 36 | 39 | 48 | 57 | 64 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 66 | 55 | 45 | 37 |
Pakistan - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Islamabad | 41 |
| Karachi | 41 |
| Lahore | 57 |
MEDIA IS ALL LIES
I am a white female visitor and I have been to Pakistan twice and from my experience Islamabad is an AMAZING city. What the WESTERN MEDIA tells you is UNTRUE. This is an amazing place and there is no terrorism or attacks in Islamabad and people are very friendly and I didn’t feel in danger even ONCE unlike what people had said to me and what it says here. The culture there is to treat every woman as your sister, every man as your brother, the elderly as your parents/grandparents and children as your own and their religion makes them truly amazing and beautiful people,
so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT believe people or media who are being islamophobic and if you REALLY want to know what a place is like to tell others go and visit it first.
Much Love <3
Better you go there yourself and see it.
SAFEST PLACE ON EARTH.
I am from Islamabad there is no bombings or terrorist attacks SAFEST PLACE ON EARTH.
What the ****. I live in Islamabad.and its the safest city…
What a load of nonsense. I’ve lived in Islamabad my whole life, and have yet to experience a “terrorist attack” that you claim are “very likely.”
All my foreigner friends brothrs and sisters are more than welcome to one of the safest and beautiful city. Media is all crap. It’s much much safer than New York, London and New Delhi.
Lol how he mentioned “tsunamis” when Islamabad is literally far away from the coast makes me wanna slap him how he’s targetting Pakistanis
you are right, this is black face of media
Your wrong description of islamabad
Your input seems to be from one of the 750 fake websites India has established to malign Pakistan as dicovered by the EU lab, European union. Amend your write up on Islamabad otherwise you will suffer creditibality issues. Don’t fall for the Indian anti Pakistan propoganda. I have visited Islamabad, it’s a beautiful city and peaceful. A heaven on earth with wonderful people. Weather is awesome. See lots of tourists there.
Safe-enough.
Hi, I am a resident of Islamabad and I endorse this assessment. I live in one of the safest neighbourhoods, F7, but Islamabad has had its share of issues over the past. Just because security and safety are good right now (April 2021) it doesn’t mean it has been good in the past. I think most people in Islamabad are forgetting what it was like a decade ago when we were facing terrorism throughout the country.
Having said all of that I agree that currently “the reality is quite different and the city is pretty safe.”
They’re right in some and wrong in some. Islamabad has been improving as a city since the past few years, sure there are tons of crimes and terrorists throughout the nation but Islamabad is quite different. And it’s funny how they rated Lahore safer than Islamabad when it’s the opposite. Lahore is crowded and filled with crime while Islamabad is organized and modern.
Want to visit
These reviews are very helpful.
I plan to visit Islamabad next year. How safe is it at this time?