US asks its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pak

 

Washington, 29 Aug 2015: The United States today asked its citizens to defer their all non-essential travel to Pakistan, citing increased terror activities in the country.

 

"The Department of State warns US citizens against all non-essential travel to Pakistan," a travel advisory said.

 

However, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Karachi continue to provide consular services for all its citizens in Pakistan.

 

The Consulate General in Peshawar no longer offers consular services, and consular services at the Consulate General in Lahore remain temporarily suspended.

 

"The presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continues to pose a danger to US citizens throughout Pakistan," said the travel advisory adding that across the country, terrorist attacks frequently occur against civilian, government, and foreign targets.

 

Attacks range from targeted killings and kidnappings, to armed assaults against heavily guarded facilities, including Pakistani military installations and airports.

 

The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in the major cities, and these measures may vary from day to day.

 

Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where US citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit, the advisory said.