ISLAMABAD -  Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah protests and sit-ins across the country on Sunday forced the United States Embassy and the British High Commission in Islamabad to issued travel advisories and security alerts to ensure safety of their citizens in Pakistan.

Both the diplomatic missions from major powers have already published the security alert message and travel advisory on their official embassy web pages.

While talking to this scribe, spokesman for the US embassy in Islamabad Richard Snelsire confirmed that the travel advisory has been issued by the US mission to prevent American nationals in Pakistan from any difficulties.

Elaborating further, Snelsire added that other than Islamabad, following the deteriorating security situation at Karachi and Lahore, the recently-issued travel advisories were still valid.

In the message, it has been mentioned that the Embassy informs US citizens that the Pakistani government is currently undertaking action to disperse Islamabad/Rawalpindi-based protests by the Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah organisation.

It further said that although police have dispersed the protests at the Faizabad Interchange, the demonstrators may be regrouping at other locations.

Other groups of protestors are also present near Tramri Chowk, Bara Kahu, and Rawal Dam.

“This has resulted in very heavy traffic disruptions throughout the city, including to/from the Islamabad International Airport. Authorities remain concerned about the potential for spontaneous protests in and around Islamabad and Rawalpindi,” the message stated.

It informed that access to the Islamabad government and diplomatic area (red zone) had been restricted.

The Club Road, the Expressway from Rawat, Park Road, Bara Kahu Road, and Rawal Dam Chowk are closed, as are some sections of Motorway M2.

The security alert portraying the situation in twin cities elaborated by stating, “The conditions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are changing rapidly and we urge US citizens to avoid areas where protestors are present. US Embassy Islamabad is curtailing movements of Embassy personnel accordingly.”

The embassy also directed the US citizens to carry appropriate identity documents when in Pakistan and should cooperate with police and security forces in any encounter saying “It is possible that cell phone connections may be disrupted during periods of unrest.”

On the other hand, the British High Commission in Islamabad has also issued a travel advisory on its website in which it has been stated that there are currently reports of unrest in some cities in Pakistan, particularly Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

There are unconfirmed reports of disruption at Islamabad International Airport.

The travel advisory by BHC further maintained, “Due to the fluidity of the security situation British High Commission staff in Islamabad and Karachi have been told to limit their non-essential movements until the security situation becomes clearer.”

British travellers to Pakistan have also been advised to avoid all crowds and protests, and check with their travel company for potential disruption.

Anwer Abbas is a correspondent for Waqt News