The United Kingdom’s foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) has issued a travel advisory on Thursday to its citizens traveling to Pakistan, cautioning the visitors to avoid paying a visit to certain place such as area close to Line of Control (LOC).
In an advisory, the UK FCO stated foreigners may become “direct targets” of a terror attack, especially in densely populated areas like markets, restaurants and shopping malls, according to ANI news reports.
The FCO said: “Protests can take place with little warning and turn violent quickly. You should avoid demonstrations, large crowds of people and public events throughout Pakistan. You should be extra vigilant at all times and minimize your exposure to areas that pose a higher risk.”
It said the ability to deliver consular assistance of British high commissioner, in fact, an emergency, may be delayed or not given in some of the regions of Pakistan, where the government doesn’t permit to travel.
The FCO noted, “Certain flight routes or airports continue to experience restrictions. You should check with your airline for the latest information on the status of your flight before traveling to the airport for any flight to and from Pakistan.”
It asserted much of rural Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as well as, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Agencies, Quetta and parts of Sindh have a high level of lawlessness.
The US has on April 10 introduced a “K” indicator for 35 nations, including Islamabad, to communicate with American citizens clearly regarding the “risk of kidnapping and hostage” by terror actors and criminal around the world.
The state department said the “K” indicator was the part of “our ongoing commitment” to provide comprehensive and clear travel safety pieces of information to American citizens.
It said the issued travel advisory was based over risk indicators, for example, natural disaster, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, health, including other potential risks.
The travel advisory has come amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan since February 14 Pulwama terror attack, claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit chief Masood Azhar, in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 44 CRPF personnel.