Pakistan: Rawalpindi on high alert July 6

Event

The court judgment in the Avenfield properties ‘affair’ (Panama Papers) against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is to be announced in Islamabad on Friday, July 6. Fearing the reaction of Sharif’s  political sympathizers, the police in Rawalpindi (20 km – 12 mi - south of Islamabad) has been placed on high alert. As part of precautionary measures, extra police personnel (including anti-riot units) has been deployed  on July 6 in Rawalpindi. New police check points have been established, along with random vehicle checking at the entry and exit points of the city.

Context

Pakistan, a volatile South Asian country familiar with political violence and poor governance, will hold general elections on July 25. With the event mentioned above and the current sensitive domestic political context, tensions are likely to remain high over the next few weeks leading to the polls.

Advice

As a reminder, Western governments advise their citizens against non-essential travel to Pakistan due to a nationwide high threat of terrorism, kidnap and sectarian violence. Individuals present in Rawalpindi and Islamabad are advised to stay away from public gatherings and to obey all instructions issued by local authorities.