B747-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; Procedure
On airway A466; the Captain contacted Lahore and reported position SAMAR at FL320.  We were reassigned FL300 due to military airspace and were requested to descend at that time. The First Officer was Pilot Flying and engaged FLCH after setting 30;000 in the MCP.  We noticed traffic at FL300 on TCAS just prior to the TCAS Alert 'Traffic Traffic' at the same time; ATC announced in a very stressful voice; 'XXX climb to three-two-zero; I say again climb to three-two-zero due to crossing traffic at Flight level 300.  Break break ... (called other traffic to alert of our presence).' The First Officer was already starting the climb by setting a higher altitude in the MCP; re-selecting FLCH and helping autopilot level off and obtain a climb.  Once the climb was established; TCAS then alerted with a Resolution Advisory to 'CLIMB; CLIMB.' The First Officer disengaged autopilot and appropriately followed the commands as they appeared on the Primary Flight Display.  Just prior to reaching FL320; TCAS advised 'clear of conflict.'  Both crew members saw the conflicting traffic; and the First Officer then commanded a right hand turn to obtain a slightly larger margin of safety.  After about a minute of no autopilot; the First Officer requested for Autopilot C to be reengaged; and the Captain complied.  FL320 on the MCP was then selected as well as FLCH and LNAV engaged.  Aircraft was reestablished on the flight plan route at FL320. We came within 100 feet of traffic less than 3 miles. The other traffic was on a near opposite track.  They also appeared to have made a diversionary turn to their right.  The Captain reported the TCAS advisory event to Lahore.  They did not give a reason for requiring our descent into oncoming traffic; only that there was military airspace.  The First Officer then reminded them that they are responsible for maintaining IFR separation and that they requested not once; but twice for us to descend from FL320 to FL300 not two minutes before the event took place on the original request.  They gave no particular reason; and neither crewmember understood exactly what the Controller said at that point but we believe we understood the Controller to say that the other aircraft's TCAS was not being displayed on his screen (or something to that affect).  We were then handed off to Lahore East which completed this event.
A B747-400 in LAHORE airspace was given a descent from FL320 to FL300 then given an emergency climb back to FL320 because of opposite direction FL300 traffic and while in the climb the TCAS RA alerted CLIMB.