Ottawa updated its travel advisory to Pakistan on Thursday in light of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, telling people to avoid all non-essential trips to the country.

While Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advised against non-essential travel to Pakistan even before the assassination of the Pakistani opposition leader, it is now emphasizing warnings to Canadians who feel they absolutely need to be there.

They should ensure all travel documents are up-to-date, and register and keep in contact with the High Commission of Canada in Islamabad, say department officials.

Canadian officials also continue to advise against all travel to areas reporting military or militant activity and all border areas except official border-crossing points.

That warning includes the Kashmir region, the province of Balochistan, the border area between Pakistan and India with the exception of the Wagha Border, the North-West Frontier Province, including Swat, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas including Waziristan.

Pakistan International Airlines is charging a cancellation fee of $200 for those cancelling travel from Toronto to Pakistan, one Toronto travel agent told CBC News. The airline could not be reached directly.

According to the BBC, the airline's main booking office in Pakistan has shut down completely.

Winnipeg travel agent Dost Mughal, who specializes in travel to the region, confirms Bhutto's assassination has made travel there a potentially dangerous undertaking.

"In Pakistan, right now, there’s no law and order," he told CBC News.

Mughal, who is from Pakistan, has relatives there whom he was able to reach by phone on Thursday.

"Most of Pakistan has shut down air traffic, railways, as modes of transportation. There are curfews — people are not able to travel across Pakistan at all."

Chaos erupted after Bhutto was killed Thursday along with 20 others by a suicide attacker shortly after she gave a speech at a campaign rally in the northern city of Rawalpindi.

The opposition leader's assassination has plunged Pakistan into turmoil, as her supporters burned cars and businesses in several cities to protest her killing. At least 23 people have been killed in riots since her death was announced.