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NOC Prohibited Zones
The NOC is not required for foreigners, but they (particularly Indian citizens) are not permitted to enter the following areas of Pakistan.
Azad Kashmir
- A 10-mile band along the Line of Control (LOC)
Balochistan
- Quetta, Sibi and Kalat Divisions, excluding Quetta City
- Chaman
- Road from Quetta to Ziarat
- Road from Quetta to Zahedan
- Road Quetta-Zhob-Jacobabad-Sukkur
- Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan
- Hub-Chowki, Lasbela
- Uthal Industrial Area
- Prohibited Zones and Cantonments
- Cantonment sites, as defined in Section 2(8) of the Official Act of 1923
- Isolated cantonments like Kharian, Gujranwala, Shorkot, and others.
- Cantonments linked to cities such as Peshawar, Nowshera, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
- All important installations clearly marked as restricted zones.
Northern Region
- A ten-mile belt parallel to the Line of Control
- A 30-mile border stretch with Afghanistan’s Wakhan Province.
- Northern Areas, except the Karakoram Highway section that runs through the region from Gircha to Bara Khun.
- Foreign tourists can now travel on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) from Thakot to Khunjerab Pass. This is hallmark on the Pak-China border. However, foreign tourists are not permitted to move on either side of the road within the above-mentioned 30-mile radius. No cross-country travel is permitted.
- A 10-mile zone along the Indo-Pak border, excluding the road to India via the Wagah or any other authorised checkpoint.
- North of Nine Green Buoy, excluding Yari Creek, the Main Channel, and the PIDC Channel.
- Pak-Afghan Border except Wakhan (Afghanistan). It’s 30 miles from the border in Chitral. This belt is 10 miles long.
Tribal Region
Foreign tourists are not permitted to visit these areas.
- Kurram Agency in North and South Waziristan
- Malakand Division, including towns of Bajaur, Kot and Agra.
- Mohmand Agency
- Nagdhara
- Usheri Dara
- Dir District
- Warsak Dam and Power House
- Khyber Agency
- Peshawar-Torkham Road
- Peshawar-Kohat Road
- Tribal areas which are connected to Kohat and Dara Adam Khel, including gun factories.
- Some areas in districts of Bannu and D.I. Khan.
Other Areas
- A 10-mile-long belt of Pak-China border.
- Kahuta in the district of Rawalpindi.
NOC Free Zones in AJK
- Muzaffarabad, including Peer Chinasi
- Bagh, Lasdana and Dhirkot
- Rawalakot, including Toli Peer
- Jhelum Valley (Hattian Bala) all the way to Reshian. However, foreign tourists are not allowed to visit Leepa Valley without a permit.
- Haveli, except areas near LOC
- Palandri (Sudhnuti)
- Kotli, except areas near LOC
- Mirpur
- Bhimber.
It is worth mentioning that the entire Neelum Valley is a restricted area. Foreign tourists are welcome to visit till Dhani waterfall. They must, however, require a NOC to visit the valley further.
Salient Features
- As of 2019, various parts of the country that were previously off-limits to foreign tourists and required (NOC) to visit are now open.O
- Foreign tourists can move freely anywhere except some clearly marked areas.
- Border crossings are also unrestricted and open.
Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, all areas are unrestricted/unprohibited. Exceptions are as follows.
- Border between Pakistan and China (10 miles)
- Pakistan-Afghanistan border (10 miles)
- Azad Kashmir, 10 miles along the Line of Control (LOC)
- Gilgit-Baltistan, 5 miles along the Line of Control (LOC)
- Siachen, 10 miles along the Line of Actual Contact (LAC)
Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan
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My wife is forigner and I am ajk resident do I need Noc for my wife if she visit pakistan.and how to apply Noc procedure
Yes, she will need an NOC, in case she doesn’t have Pakistani or Kashmiri CNIC. Contact Interior Ministry of Pakistan, prior your visit, once you will get your Visa stamped. NOC can be obtained two months before your visit to Kashmir.
Exquisite Kashmir awaits foreign tourists.
The beautiful tourist destination of Pir Chinasi is situated 25 km from Azad Kashmir’s capital, atop a snow-covered peak that is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level.
Much like other tourist destinations in the region such as Neelam Valley, Tolipir and Banjosa, Pir Chinasi attracts a large number of visitors every year.
Every year thousands of them, mostly Pakistanis, visit the area in winter to enjoy the snowfall, though many more visit in summer to get some respite from the heat.
Kashmir is frequently described as “Paradise on Earth” due to its scenic landscapes, lush green mountains, sparkling rivers and lakes.
“Every year, about 700,000 tourists visit Poonch, and nearly 1.2 million people go to Neelam valley and its adjoining areas.”
The inflow of tourists has benefitted many Kashmiris living along its main routes and tourist spots.
Regardless of its huge potential to attract tourists, only Pakistanis are allowed to visit AJK. Foreign nationals are required to get a No Objection Certificate from the Pakistani government via a cumbersome process.
It is need of the hour that foreign tourists be allowed in Kashmir. This will not only project the Kashmir issue, but also financially benefit its people and state institutions. To promote and sustain tourism in the area, the state government should take initiatives.
Pearl Continental Hotel, the biggest chain in the country’s hospitality industry, has already extended its presence to Muzaffarabad.
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