US tells citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan

The warning comes in the wake of increasing terrorist violence in Pakistan

The United States today advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan, saying that foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to them throughout the country.

The warning comes in the wake of increasing terrorist violence in Pakistan.

In a travel warning, issued after a gap of seven months, the State Department warned the US citizens against all non-essential travel to the South Asian country.

The fresh travel warning replaces earlier warning, issued on May 22.

Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks, the State Department said, adding that targeted attacks against government officials, humanitarian and non-governmental organisation (NGO) employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel were common in the country.

It said foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to US citizens throughout Pakistan.

Terrorists have targeted US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past, and evidence suggests they continue to do so, the travel warning said, adding that terrorists and criminal groups have resorted to kidnapping for ransom.