Is Larkana Safe to Visit? Security Advice for Travellers

Larkana is visited by Pakistani travellers every year, mostly for Mohenjo-daro, but it lies in northern Sindh, where the UK government advises against all but essential travel. The city itself is generally treated as a secure place for day visitors; the risks sit mainly with crime on rural roads and in the riverside forest belt further north. This guide sets out what is known, with the source for each point, so you can decide.

It is not a guarantee. Conditions change, and you should check local news and police advice on the day you travel.

What does the UK advice say?

The UK government's Pakistan travel advice advises against all but essential travel to Sindh north of Nawabshah and to areas within 5 miles of the Indian border. Larkana, Sukkur and Khairpur all fall north of that line. The advice, updated in September 2026, does not list Larkana separately.

Advice like this is a risk assessment, not a ban. It matters in practice for one reason: if you hold a foreign passport, travelling against it can void your travel insurance. Check your own government's current advice and your insurer's terms before booking.

What has happened in the area in 2026?

Northern Sindh has a long-running problem with armed gangs, known as katcha dacoits after the riverside forest belt they operate from. Most of the reported activity is in districts north of Larkana such as Kashmore, but it reaches the wider region.

• January 2026: armed men attacked a police van in Kashmore district carrying about two dozen trainee officers who were on their way to a training centre in Larkana. They were robbed and some were abducted, and the kidnapped officers later escaped (24NewsHD).
• April 2026: two dacoits were killed in a police encounter in the Haideri police station area of Larkana (24NewsHD).
• September 2026: three wanted dacoits surrendered to police in Kashmore during an ongoing police operation (Daily Independent).

None of these reports describe an attack on tourists at Mohenjo-daro. They do show that police operations against armed gangs are continuing in the region. Treat that as a reason to be careful on roads, not as a reason that Larkana city is unsafe by day.

Do Pakistani visitors still go?

Yes. Families, school groups and archaeology enthusiasts travel to Mohenjo-daro through Larkana, and the site, the museum and the city are all part of ordinary domestic itineraries. Our guide to places to visit in Larkana covers what is on offer.

Practical ways to reduce risk

• Travel in daylight. Plan to be at your hotel before dark, especially on the highways. Break long drives from Karachi with a night in Larkana or Sukkur rather than pushing on late.
• Stay on main roads. Avoid shortcuts through rural tracks and the riverside belt, and don't follow a satnav onto an unfamiliar road.
• Use a driver or hotel who knows the area. Ask your hotel about the current situation on the road you plan to take. Our Larkana hotels guide lists the kind of places to look at.
• Check news on the day. Local Sindh news and the police are the best sources, because the picture can change within a week.
• Carry little cash and few valuables. Keep your CNIC on you.
• Keep family and friends informed of your route and when you expect to arrive.

What about the heat and health?

Safety on the ground is not only about crime. Larkana has recorded temperatures above 50°C, and Mohenjo-daro has almost no shade, so heat exhaustion is a more likely problem for most visitors than crime. The sensible months are November to February; see the best time to visit Mohenjo-daro.

Is it safe for foreign visitors?

One traveller's account of Mohenjo-daro says foreigners are officially expected to travel with an armed escort in Sindh, that hotels may refuse to let guests leave alone, and that enforcement varies by hotel. Rules like this have changed before and we cannot confirm the current position. If you hold a foreign passport, contact your embassy or a Pakistani operator for the current rules, and read your own government's advice.

Is it worth going, given the advice?

For many Pakistani travellers, yes: Mohenjo-daro is one of the country's most important sites, the trip from Larkana is short, and a daylight visit by main road is the usual pattern. If you are nervous, visit as a day trip from a hotel in Larkana or Sukkur with a driver you trust, and skip nights on the road. If your insurance depends on avoiding the area, or you have small children and no local contact, the safer choice is to wait for a time when advice changes. Our travel guide has general planning notes, and Larkana to Mohenjo-daro covers the short drive.

Frequently asked questions