Canada updated its travel advisory for Pakistan, warning citizens to refrain from travelling to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Canadian authorities said protests were expected in the territory amid growing unrest after the arrests of several members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The JAAC listed a 38-point charter of demands to Islamabad.
The Canadian government said the protests were scheduled from June 9, starting in Rawalakot and moving towards Muzaffarabad, and that local authorities “have issued a travel warning advising against all travel to the area from June 5 to June 20, 2026. In the past, demonstrations in this region have led to significant disruptions”.
The country also warned that it “may not be in a position to provide consular assistance to Canadians in areas” where there were serious security concerns, the Pakistan government prohibited entry, and advance permission was required for entry.
Currently, the Canadian government has declared over half of Pakistan to be off limites. The areas include those within 50 km of the Afghanistan border, areas within 10 km of the borders with China, India, and Iran, areas within 10 km of the Line of Control with India, the section of the Karakoram Highway from Mansehra to Chilas, PoK, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the exception of the districts of Haripur, Abbottabad, and Chitral. However, the government exempted select official border crossings like Wagah and the Kartarpur Corridor from the list.
Canadian authorities also advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the Karachi district.
The travel advisory said, “There is a high threat of terrorism in Pakistan. The security situation is fragile and unpredictable. Several terrorist groups are present and operate across the country.”
AFP news agency, citing officials, reported that seven people were killed and several wounded in clashes between the police and the JAAC on Monday after the PoK government had banned the people’s movement under the POJK Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014 on Friday.
