WASHINGTON - The United States has asked its citizens to defer all their non-essential travel to Pakistan, arguing that the presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups poses a "potential danger" to US citizens in the country.
Replacing its previous travel advisory of September 19, 2012, the American State Department said that threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where US citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit.
In its travel advisory, the US State Department alleged that American citizens, seeking services from the US Consulates-General in Karachi and Peshawar, are subjected to questioning by local security officials.
"Citing security concerns, host-Government intelligence officials frequently stop US citizens outside the Consulates and obtain their personal information before allowing them to proceed. US citizens might later be visited at their homes or offices and questioned about the nature of their business in Pakistan and the purpose of their visit to the Consulate," the travel advisory said. The kidnapping of Pakistani citizens and other foreign nationals, usually for ransom, continues to increase nationwide. "US citizens, who feel they are in danger or their security is at risk, are strongly urged to leave Pakistan as soon as possible," the advisory further said.