The Hindu : U.S. lifts ban on travel to Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2003

International

International

U.S. lifts ban on travel to Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD April 18. The U.S. today lifted the 13-month travel ban on its citizens and certain category of employees to Pakistan and authorised the immediate return of U.S. embassy and consulate employees to Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar.

After a church blast in March 2002 in the diplomatic enclave, in which two U.S. citizens, including the wife of a diplomat died, America had withdrawn non-essential diplomatic and non-diplomatic staff from Pakistan and ordered families of all employees to leave the country immediately.

Family members of official Americans ordered to leave the country in March 2002 are not yet being allowed to return. ``Because of regional tensions and continued high security concerns about terrorists in Pakistan, all U.S. citizens should defer travel to Pakistan. U.S. citizens in the country are strongly urged to depart. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued March 28, 2003'', travel advisory put out by the State Department said.

It said U.S. citizens who remain in Pakistan despite this warning should take appropriate precautions to ensure their security and safety. These measures include being vigilant of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel and ensuring travel documents are current.

``Americans are also encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulates in Peshawar or Lahore and enrol in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in Pakistan. Persons wishing to register at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi should call that office'', it said.

The latest advisory said from time to time, the missions in Pakistan might temporarily suspend public services for security reasons. Also, due to security concerns, official Americans may be prohibited from travelling to certain areas of Pakistan, it said.

``As security is tightened at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathisers seek more vulnerable targets. These include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events. Terrorists have already shown their willingness and capability to attack hotels and Christian facilities.

``There is evidence of a potential threat to U.S. citizens and other westerners in Pakistan from terrorists posing as street vendors or beggars on busy streets. Americans are urged to avoid congested areas where these individuals could approach their vehicles. Although the high level of tension that existed last spring between India and Pakistan has subsided, the risk of renewed tension cannot be ruled out'', it said.

The advisory said Government of Pakistan continues to give full support to the international campaign against terrorism. It said as Operation Enduring Freedom defeats Al-Qaeda strongholds in Afghanistan, some Al-Qaeda members have fled to Pakistan and other countries.

``This, coupled with the presence of indigenous sectarian and militant groups in Pakistan, requires that all Americans in or travelling through Pakistan take appropriate security measures. Events in the Middle East also increase the possibility of violence'', it said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International