US, UK, Saudi, Australia issue security alert for citizens in Pakistan

After the United States and the United Kingdom, embassies of Saudi Arabia and Australia on Monday issued advisory to their citizens and government officials living in Pakistan's Islamabad to "limit their movement and increase vigilance" amid the rising terror threat. Saudi Arabia has warned its nationals to "be cautious" and not step out except for emergency purposes. "Security of Islamabad has been placed at the highest level," the advisory said. It has also asked Saudi residents in the city to contact the embassy and consulate in case of an emergency. The Australian embassy has urged its people to reconsider their need to visit Pakistan.

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

— Neil Hawkins (@AusHCPak) December 26, 2022

On Sunday, the US embassy in Pakistan warned about a "possible terrorist attack" against American citizens at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad and prohibited American staff from visiting the five-star facility. This was followed by similar guidelines issued by the British embassy.These advisories came after the latest attack in Islamabad and an uptick in countryside attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Imran Khan has blamed the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government for pushing the country towards "terror incidents". Taking a dig at Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Imran Khan lamented on the state of national security. “Leaving national security at the mercy of [Asif] Zardari’s politically-immature son is criminal stupidity,” he said.