US travel advisory for Pakistan warns of terrorism, LOC conflict

Washington: The United States has issued a new level-3 travel advisory for Pakistan, informing its citizens that there might be terror attacks in the country and a conflict could erupt on the Line of Control (LOC).

A level-3 travel advisory means the US citizens are being asked to reconsider their plans if they are traveling to the country in question.

The travel advisory issued on April 4 prohibits American nationals from traveling to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces “due to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping.”

It also tells them to avoid locations near the Line of Control which faces the risk of “terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.”

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist locations, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and government facilities,” the advisory statement said.

While it says that Balochistan and KP provinces have seen terror attacks in recent months, the advisory declares “terrorist attacks are rare in Islamabad” though threats exist.

“The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Pakistan due to the security environment. Travel by U.S. government personnel within Pakistan is restricted, and additional restrictions on movements by U.S. government personnel outside of U.S. diplomatic facilities may occur at any time, depending on local circumstances and security conditions, which can change suddenly,” the statement said adding that the US Consulate General in Peshawar is unable to provide any consular services to US citizens.