The United States has issued a new travel advice restricting its citizens to travel to Pakistan because of threats emanating from al Qaeda and Taleban operating in Pakistan near porous areas bordering Afghanistan.
It has been issued by the Travel Wing of US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington DC, and updated on January 30.
"Al Qaeda and Taleban elements continue to operate inside Pakistan, particularly along the porous border region. Their presence, coupled with that of indigenous sectarian and militant groups in Pakistan, requires that all Americans in or travelling through Pakistan take appropriate security measures," said the advisory.
It further says:
"The Department of State continues to warn US citizens to defer non-essential travel to Pakistan due to ongoing concerns about the possibility of terrorist activities directed against American citizens and interests there.
The US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulates in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar continue to operate at reduced staffing levels. Family members of official Americans assigned to its four local consulates posts in Pakistan were ordered to leave the country in March 2002 and have not been allowed to return.
"Continuing tensions in the Middle East also increase the possibility of violence. As security has been tightened at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathisers have demonstrated the willingness and capability to attack more vulnerable targets, including facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events.
"US citizens who travel to, or remain in, Pakistan despite this Travel Warning should register at the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Islamabad or at the Consulates in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi in order to enrol in the emergency alert system (the warden network). Persons wishing to register at the US Consulate General in Karachi should call that office to make arrangements for how to register given the special security measures in effect at that post. Information concerning updated travel and security information for Pakistan is issued periodically via the warden network.
US citizens in country should take appropriate individual precautions to ensure their security and safety.
"These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel and ensuring travel documents and visas are valid.
"From time to time, any post in Pakistan may temporarily suspend public services for security reasons. Official Americans, at any given time, may be prohibited from travelling to certain areas of Pakistan due to security concerns and therefore, may not be able to render immediate service to American citizens in distress. The Embassy and Consulate websites will have the latest information on more specific travel restrictions. Many areas of Pakistan such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the international border and the area adjacent to the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir are restricted for non-Pakistanis. Travel to any restricted region requires official permission by the Government of Pakistan. Failure to obtain such permission in advance can result in arrest and detention by Pakistani authorities.
"This Travel Warning has been updated to remind US citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Pakistan dated April 17, 2003."