LAHORE At a time when the United States is issuing threats to Pakistan and suicide bombings are taking place in various parts of the country, the government has exempted the foreign ambassadors, heads of missions, their spouses and families from pre-travel No Objection Certificate requirement for 'open areas. According to official sources, now the diplomats will be required to 'inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only 24 hours in advance about their planned visits to enable the authorities concerned to provide necessary facilities and ensure their security arrangements. Previously, they were required to send their requests for visits to 'open areas at least five working days in advance of their travel plans. The sources said the exemption allowed to foreign diplomats in the prevailing situation was totally ill-advised and against the security of the country. They believed that the decision could not have been taken by anybody other than President Zardari. People dealing with the security of the country feel upset at the development and fail to understand the need for such a 'generosity to the foreigners. According to an official letter sent to all diplomatic missions, those who are not ambassadors or heads of mission but are holding valid ID cards of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have also been exempted from prior pre-travel NOC provided their visit programme is notified to the Foreign Ministry and/ or its Camp Office in the provincial capitals, 48 hours in advance of the planned visit. Before this communication, they had to obtain prior clearance and send their requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 15 working days prior to their travel plans. As for the requirement of obtaining prior NOC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sources said, it would continue to apply for travel to 'prohibited areas. Request for securing an NOC has to be made 15 days before the date of travel. According to the latest instructions, valid ID Cards issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be carried by the visitors at all times. For prohibited areas, valid NOC and ID cards must be carried and presented on request. It may be recalled that the restriction of NOC had been imposed mainly to discourage the foreign diplomats, especially from the countries with hostile attitude towards Pakistan. A number of US diplomats were disallowed to enter Peshawar, because they did not have the NOCs. However, at times, they forced their way into the city, pushing aside the security guards. Some sources are of the view that it would be difficult for the security personnel to check them now, when they would not be required to get any NOC.