Health and Safety

Karachi requires practical street-smart caution. The legacy Irhal health and safety guide warns that cell phone snatching, mugging, and pickpocketing can happen in public places, markets, public transport, and even during daytime movement through quiet lanes.

Karachi can be rewarding but requires practical caution. Official travel advisories from the UK, US and other governments continue to flag security risks in Pakistan, including terrorism, crime, demonstrations and travel disruption. The guide should not scare visitors, but it should be honest: avoid political gatherings, religious processions unless hosted by trusted locals, isolated streets at night, unlit beach areas, and unnecessary display of phones, jewellery or cash.

Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water or boiled/filtered water, avoid ice if hygiene is uncertain, and choose street-food stalls with high turnover and visible cooking heat. Karachi street food is part of the city soul, but visitors with sensitive stomachs should pace themselves and avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit and lukewarm buffet dishes.

Crowded old-city markets: pickpocketing, traffic, heat and getting separated from group.

Police emergency: 15; Sindh Rescue / ambulance: 1122; Fire brigade: 16