US Consulate General in Pakistan highlights tense situation in the country, issues advisories to safeguard American citizens

The US Consulate General in Pakistan issued one advisory each on Wednesday and Thursday that cautioned its citizens about the tense situation between India and Pakistan, as well as the high possibility of escalation. 

Upholding its “Do Not Travel” advisory status for sensitive areas around the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, as well as a “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Pakistan in general, the embassy reiterated the importance of leaving active areas of conflict, if possible, or finding shelter otherwise.

“Flight availability into and out of Pakistan remains fluid. Some civilian flights reportedly operated overnight. This morning, the Pakistan Airports Authority announced a temporary suspension of flight operations in Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot,” the Thursday advisory said.

Assuring their citizens that the US Embassy in Islamabad and Consulates General in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar would remain open for regular business, the advisories also offered other  tips on staying safe in a volatile nation, such as monitoring the local media, keeping a low profile, carrying identification, and cooperating with the authorities.

The US has also warned its citizens and government personnel to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

In the meantime, all US advisories also stress on the importance of their citizens joining the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP), a free, 20-minute process that allows citizens to enroll their trip abroad, so that the Department of State could accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergencies.

The conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations can be attributed to the Pahalgam attack of April 22 that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir, in lieu of which India launched a series of 20+ precision strikes, taking out about 70 terrorists spread across nine camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Pakistan, in turn, has fired missiles at 15 Indian cities, which was promplt neutralised by the Indian military.   

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