Pakistan has tourist police units in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, and a Tourism Squad in Punjab. They are there to guide visitors, take complaints and help in an emergency, and the helpline to remember is 1422 in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, or 1421 in Punjab. For a crime in progress, call the regular police on 15.
The units are separate, run by different provincial bodies, and differ in size and reach. This guide covers what each does, where they are, and when to call them rather than another service.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Tourism Police Unit of 437 personnel; helpline 1422 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Tourism police under the Culture and Tourism Authority; helpline 1422 |
| Azad Kashmir | 120-member force at entry points; helpline 1422 |
| Punjab | Punjab Tourism Squad; helpline 1421 |
| Crime | Police emergency 15 |
| Ambulance, fire, rescue | 1122 |
What do the tourist police do?
They are a facilitation service first, and a police service second. The Gilgit-Baltistan police describe the unit's job as giving guidance on destinations and local customs, helping traffic move smoothly on the Karakoram Highway and other routes, assisting visitors in emergencies, and dealing with tourists' questions, claims and complaints. In Azad Kashmir the police describe their tourism force as hospitality officers who act as hosts and guide visitors from entry points to their destination.
In practice, you would go to them for:
- Directions, road and weather information
- A complaint about overcharging, a dispute with a driver or a hotel
- Help after a theft or a lost document
- Information on whether a route is currently open
- Help finding transport or medical care after an accident
They do not replace the ambulance service. For a medical emergency call Rescue 1122, and for a crime or immediate threat, call 15.
Gilgit-Baltistan
The GB Police's Tourism Police Unit has 437 personnel, working alongside the Karakoram Security Force. Units are posted at tourist destinations across the region, and the GB police list 1422 as the tourist helpline and 15 for reporting a crime. The Central Police Office is in Gilgit, near Jinnah Bridge Road. Each of the seven GB districts has a 24-hour tourist assistance and security helpline as well.
We have a separate list of district numbers in our Gilgit-Baltistan emergency numbers guide.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa launched a tourism police force in 2021, working under the provincial culture and tourism authority. It was first deployed at Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad and Mansehra, with teams at places such as Chakdara, Kalam and Kalash reported. The province also launched a 1422 tourist helpline in January 2021, covering information, weather, traffic and emergency response, and the Provincial Emergency Helpline 911 is the other round-the-clock number.
For more on KP conditions, see our Swat safety guide.
Azad Kashmir
The AJK tourism police has about 120 male and female officers, with six marked vehicles and 80 motorcycles, and they are stationed mainly at three entry points: Kohala, Bararkot and Azad Pattan. These connect the Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions to KP and Punjab, where most visitors come from. Their helpline is 1422.
Conditions in Azad Kashmir have been unstable in 2026. Protests from June led to a large number of deaths and long internet and phone shutdowns, and the government asked tourists to stay away for part of June. The UK advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which includes most of the Neelum valley. Check the current position before planning, and see our guide to whether Azad Kashmir is safe to travel to.
Punjab
Punjab's version is the Punjab Tourism Squad, set up by the provincial Tourism Department. It started in Murree on 13 August 2022 and now covers three zones: the north (Murree), the centre (Lahore and nearby) and the south (Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan). The squad guides visitors, records complaints and works with Rescue 1122, traffic police, Punjab Police and local administration. Its helpline is 1421, run through the Punjab Information Technology Board.
Note that Punjab uses 1421, not 1422, so it is easy to mix up the two.
Practical tips
- Save the right number before you travel. 1422 for GB, KP and AJK, 1421 for Punjab, 15 for crime, 1122 for ambulance and rescue. Numbers change, so confirm on the provincial police or tourism website.
- Signal fails in the mountains. Mobile coverage is patchy on many routes, and a helpline does no good without a call going through. Note the number of the nearest police post as you pass it.
- Keep documents accessible. CNIC for Pakistanis, and passport, visa and any NOC copies for foreign nationals.
- Report scams and overcharging. Note the vehicle number, the name of the driver or hotel, and what you paid.
- Foreigners on restricted routes. Escort and check-post rules differ by district; see our guide to police escort for foreigners.
Are they worth calling?
Yes, for information and complaints. A call to 1422 or 1421 is the easiest way to check if a road is open, report a problem or get pointed to the right department, and the tourist police are generally the simplest first contact for a visitor who does not know who else to call.
For anything urgent, use the emergency numbers directly, and don't wait for a callback. The tourist police are also a small force relative to the areas they cover, so response in remote valleys will be slower than in Karimabad or Murree. Our FAQs list other practical contacts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tourist police number in Pakistan?
1422 in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, and 1421 for the Punjab Tourism Squad. For a crime dial 15.
Is there a tourist police force in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Yes, the GB Police has a Tourism Police Unit of 437 personnel, deployed at tourist destinations, working with the Karakoram Security Force.
Where is the tourist police in Azad Kashmir?
Mainly at the entry points of Kohala, Bararkot and Azad Pattan. The force has about 120 officers.
Do tourist police speak English?
We could not find an official statement on this, so do not count on it. Ask your hotel or driver to help if you have a language difficulty.
Are tourist police the same as Rescue 1122?
No. The tourist police guide visitors and take complaints, while Rescue 1122 provides ambulances, fire and rescue. Call 1122 for a medical emergency.
Does the tourist police escort foreigners?
Not as a general service. Escort rules depend on the district and the route, so check current requirements with your tour operator and the local authorities.
