The United States government has warned its citizens against all nonessential travel to Pakistan due to ‘security concerns’ in the country.
According to a statement by the US, State Department, the American Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi continue to provide consular services for all U.S. citizens in Pakistan.
“Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks. Several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan. Across the country, terrorist attacks frequently occur against locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners congregate, as well as against local civilian and government targets. Terrorists and criminal groups regularly resort to kidnapping for ransom.” the statement said.
On 16 April 2015, an American educator was shot by two gunmen on motorbikes. Evidence suggests she was targeted, in part, because she was a U.S. citizen.
The State Department asserted that the Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, after attacks or in response to threats.
The local government restricts access for non-Pakistanis to many areas, including the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan border, the Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, the area adjacent to the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir and much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan.
“The travel of U.S. government personnel within Pakistan is restricted based on security or other reasons. Movements by U.S. government personnel outside of Islamabad are severely restricted, and consulate staff cannot drive personally-owned vehicles,” the statement added.