KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States Department of State has announced that, due to security concerns, non-essential US government personnel and their family members at the country’s consulates in Lahore and Karachi have been instructed to leave Pakistan.
The decision, made on Tuesday, does not affect the US embassy in Islamabad.
The State Department warned that following the outbreak of clashes between the US and Iran on 28 February, the risk of missile and drone strikes, as well as terrorist threats, has increased in Pakistan.
The statement noted that the security situation in Pakistan remains unstable, with attacks by extremist groups continuing in some areas, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The announcement comes a day after violent protests erupted in Karachi amid rising tensions between Iran and the US, as well as escalating clashes between Iran and Israel.
Reports indicate that at least ten people were killed near the US consulate in Karachi during the unrest.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Islamabad also announced that, owing to the current security situation, visa services will be suspended for three days.
hz/sa
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