-After US Embassy, Saudi Arabia, Australia, UK also issue security alert to their nationals in Islamabad
-PM vows to uproot menace of terrorism
-Says all resources will be employed for bringing peace in Pakistan
-‘Incompetent rulers’ failed to protect Pakistanis from terrorism, says Imran
-Terms leaving national security at the mercy of ‘immature’ FM Bilawal Bhutto as a criminal negligence
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: After the United States issued a security alert over a possible attack at the hotel in Islamabad, several countries including United Kingdom, Australia and Saudi Arabia have issued travel alerts for Pakistan.
The Saudi Embassy in Islamabad has issued an alert on the security situation in the country and advised its citizens living in and visiting Pakistan to remain careful and exercise caution.
It advised that citizens should not go out unless necessary. It added that Saudi citizens should contact the embassy and consulate if required. The Australian High Commission in Islamabad has also issued a travel alert for Pakistan and warned from traveling due to the volatile security situation in the country.
In a statement, it said that the US Government warned its citizens of information that unknown individuals are possibly planning an attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad during the holidays. It added that heightened security arrangements are in place and public events have been banned.
The mission advised Australian officials in Islamabad to increase vigilance and limit travel within the city. They have been instructed to exercise heightened vigilance and monitor the media for latest updates
The Australian High Commission advised citizen to reconsider traveling to Pakistan due to the volatile security situation and high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping and violence. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also issued travel advisory to British nationals from visiting Pakistan.
In its travel advisory, the FCDO has advised against all travel to the districts of Bajuar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.
It also advised the British citizens against travelling to the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir and Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
It also warned against traveling on the N45 road, from the north of the Mardan ring-road to the edge of the district of Chitral.
The FCDO also advised British nationals against traveling to Balochistan province, excluding the southern coast of Balochistan, besides the section of the N35 (or Karakoram Highway) between the Mansehra ring road and the N15/N35 Chilas interchange; and within 10 miles of the Line of Control.
The FCDO advised against all but essential travel to Arandu town and the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province; southern coast of Balochistan including the N10 motorway as well as the section of the N25 which runs to the Balochistan/Sindh border, port city of Gwadar; and areas of Sindh Province north of Nawabshah.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Monday reiterated his vow to uproot the menace of terrorism from Pakistan after nearly seven blasts ripping through Balochistan left five soldiers — including a captain martyred — and injured 15 others.
There has been an uptick in terror incidents across the country — especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Pakistan last month.
The premier, while addressing an event in Dera Ismail Khan, said that he would take all possible steps to control incidents of terrorism in the country.
While speaking about a recent event, when terrorists took over a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in KP, the PM said: “Security forces bravely combatted against the terrorists in Bannu.”
“In recent weeks, incidents of terrorism are on the rise again. Those who embraced martyrdom in Bannu are Pakistan’s heroes. The nation will remember them,” the premier said, speaking at an event following the launch of development projects in DI Khan.
He told the attendees about visiting the Rawalpindi Hospital to meet soldiers injured in the Bannu operation. The prime minister also spoke about the spate of terror attacks in Balochistan a day earlier.
“Another terror incident took place in Balochistan yesterday (Sunday). We are working hard to prevent incidents of terrorism. We will employ all resources to uproot terrorism to bring peace in Pakistan,” Premier Shehbaz added. He also assured of the eradication of extortion and other incidents.
Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has expressed serious concern over the rapidly rising terrorism incidents across the country, saying that “incompetent rulers have miserably failed to protect the lives and property of the people”.
“After the economic crisis, there has been an extraordinary increase in the incidents of terrorism in the country,” he said while chairing a meeting of the party leadership in Lahore on Monday.
The PTI leader deliberated at length on crucial matters including the overall political situation in the country, deteriorating economic conditions, and rising terrorism.
The former prime minister said that the “corrupt, dishonest and incompetent rulers responsible for the economic chaos have now miserably failed to protect the lives and property of the people”.
“Eight months ago, the country was economically stable while terrorism was practically over. These corrupt and dishonest people at the helm of affairs were given the power to play with the economy and national security and award themselves with NRO-2 (amnesty),” he added.
“In recent days, the country has seen a 52% increase in terrorism incidents in which 270 people have died and more than 550 were injured. I had warned of the consequences before my government was changed through a conspiracy. Since the last eight months, we have continuously warned that the imposed, corrupt, and incompetent rulers were pushing the nation towards disaster,” Imran said.
According to him, independent economic experts were suggesting that Pakistan was facing a very serious situation and added that a two-fold increase in the price of flour would most likely deprive millions of poor people of food.
“After ruining the economy, the imported government failed to provide security, which is very worrying. Despite America’s withdrawal from the region, our government shielded the nation from its fallout with the best diplomatic strategy,” he added.
He was of the view that leaving national security at the mercy of “immature” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was criminal negligence.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in the country and we will strongly resist any attempt to lead the nation to a major disaster,” he added.
He reiterated his demand for snap polls, which in his opinion was the only way to save the country from destruction. “Only a government with a public mandate in the true sense will be able to manage the economy and control terrorism”.
Sunday, the US embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert and prohibited its staff from visiting the Marriott Hotel due to concerns of a “possible attack”.
“The US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays,” it said in an alert.
The US Embassy in Islamabad prohibited all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel “effective immediately”.
The embassy also urged all its personnel to refrain from “non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season” due to the red alert declared in the city and the ban on public gatherings. The embassy advised its staff to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds.
It advised to review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, remain aware of their surroundings, and monitor local media for updates.
