Hi all,

A couple of friends and I are looking into the possibilities of heading to Pakistan's northern areas next summer to attempt some climbing there. I was wondering if anyone here can tell me something about the security issues that Western travellers in that region might be confronted with. Our foreign ministry's website issues discourages non-essential travel to Pakistan and warns for possible shia-sunni violence in the Northern Areas.

Any additional information would be more than welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Bart

yep,

our flights are booked... as long as Islamabad airports stays open, we're going...

safety in Pakistan:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=13807077&#13807077

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=15074418&#15074418

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=14750856&#14750856

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=13881865&#13881865

The Northern areas are the safest regions for foreign tourists. The current situation is quite normal and hopefully it will remain normal in the coming summer as well.