Following protests in Pakistan after the arrest of the country’s former PM Imran Khan, US, UK and Canada on Wednesday issued new travel advisories for their citizens, the report in NDTV said.
It said the political unrest that has erupted in the country following the dramatic arrest of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court premises, the US, Canada and the UK have issued travel advisories for their citizens and diplomatic staff.
The US Embassy has announced a travel alert for its citizens in Pakistan, it said.
The report quoted the latest advisory issued by the US Embassy stating, "The U.S. Embassy is monitoring earlier reports of clashes between demonstrators and police in Islamabad and also sporadic demonstrations underway or being planned elsewhere throughout Pakistan."
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The US Embassy in Islamabad has cancelled consular appointments for May 10 due to "political traffic disruptions and restrictions”, it said.
It added US citizens have been advised to exercise heightened vigilance and avoid locations with large crowds.
The US Embassy asked people to review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement and be aware of their surroundings and monitor local media for updates, it added.
It also said the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised their citizens to avoid all political demonstrations, large crowds of people, and public events and be prepared to change plans as necessary. The UK FCDO urged people to keep track of local news, it added.
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The report quoting UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office stated, "Public demonstrations are common in Pakistan. You should keep track of the local news. Protests can occur with little warning and while most remain peaceful, they can turn violent and escalate quickly.”
It also said Canadian government asked its citizens and diplomatic staff to exercise a high degree of caution in Pakistan due to the "unpredictable security situation."
"There is a threat of terrorism, civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping,” it said.
