Saudi Arabia, Australia, UK issue security alert for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: After the United States issued a security alert over a possible attack at the hotel in Islamabad, several countries including United Kingdom, Australia and Saudi Arabia have issued travel alerts for Pakistan.

The Saudi Embassy in Islamabad has issued an alert on the security situation in the country and advised its citizens living in and visiting Pakistan to remain careful and exercise caution.

It advised that citizens should not go out unless necessary. It added that Saudi citizens should contact the embassy and consulate if required.

#تنبيه pic.twitter.com/6A7Q7z3lAl

Advertisement

— السفارة في باكستان – سعودی سفارت خانہ (@KSAembassyPK) December 26, 2022

The Australian High Commission in Islamabad has also issued a travel alert for Pakistan and warned from traveling due to the volatile security situation in the country.

In a statement, it said that the US Government warned its citizens of information that unknown individuals are possibly planning an attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad during the holidays.  It added that heightened security arrangements are in place and public events have been banned.

The mission advised Australian officials in Islamabad to increase vigilance and limit travel within the city. They have been instructed to exercise heightened vigilance and monitor the media for latest updates

The Australian High Commission advised citizen to reconsider traveling to Pakistan due to the volatile security situation and high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping and violence.

Read our travel advice for more: https://t.co/E5polKCJ45 pic.twitter.com/ewuLwk8hUn

— Neil Hawkins (@AusHCPak) December 26, 2022

UK issues travel advisory

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also issued travel advisory to British nationals from visiting Pakistan.

In its travel advisory, the FCDO has advised against all travel to the districts of Bajuar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

It also advised the British citizens against travelling to the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir and Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

It also warned against traveling on the N45 road, from the north of the Mardan ring-road to the edge of the district of Chitral.

The FCDO also advised British nationals against traveling to Balochistan province, excluding the southern coast of Balochistan, besides the section of the N35 (or Karakoram Highway) between the Mansehra ring road and the N15/N35 Chilas interchange; and within 10 miles of the Line of Control.

The FCDO advised against all but essential travel to Arandu town and the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province; southern coast of Balochistan including the N10 motorway as well as the section of the N25 which runs to the Balochistan/Sindh border, port city of Gwadar; and areas of Sindh Province north of Nawabshah.

Possible attack on Islamabad hotel

A day earlier, the US embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert and prohibited its staff from visiting the Marriott Hotel due to concerns of a “possible attack”.

“The US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays,” it said in an alert.

The US Embassy in Islamabad prohibited all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel “effective immediately”.

The embassy also urged all its personnel to refrain from “non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season” due to the red alert declared in the city and the ban on public gatherings. The embassy advised its staff to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds.

It advised to review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, remain aware of their surroundings, and monitor local media for updates.

Also Read

US embassy issued security alert over visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel

US embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert It prohibited all staff...