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The threat of a terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, has prompted several countries to warn citizens not to travel there.
Saudi Arabia has joined the US, UK and Australia in issuing a travel advisory for citizens not to travel to Pakistan.
The Joe Biden administration earlier on Sunday issued a red alert barring US government employees from visiting the Islamabad Marriott Hotel and banned all public gatherings.
The US Embassy in Pakistan said in a statement: “There is information that unknown persons are plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad during the holidays.”
“Effective immediately, the Embassy in Islamabad prohibits all US personnel from visiting the Islamabad Marriott Hotel,” it said.
The embassy also urged all mission personnel to avoid non-essential and non-routine travel in Islamabad during the festive season.
A day later, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Islamabad tweeted a statement urging citizens living and visiting Pakistan to be careful and not go out unless necessary. Authorities in the capital, Islamabad, raised the security alert to the highest level. .
Last week, a policeman was killed and six others injured in a deadly bomb attack by the Pakistani Taliban in Islamabad.
The British government warned against travel to Pakistan on Sunday, asking its citizens in Islamabad to “take extra precautions and reduce exposure to dense and unsafe areas that pose a high risk”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has warned against travel to various districts, Balochistan province and Peshawar city and district.
“Certain times of the year can pose high risks. During holy periods/religious festivals, the possibility of targeted attacks, including against Western interests and religious minorities, increases,” the office’s adviser said.
Following this, Australia raised its own travel warning for Pakistan on Monday, asking its citizens to reconsider traveling to the South Asian country.
“Australian authorities in Islamabad have been advised to increase vigilance and restrict travel within the city. You should be very careful and follow the latest updates from the media, the advisory said.
Australia has four levels of travel advice – “Take normal safety precautions”, “Exercise extreme caution”, “Reconsider your intention to travel” and “Do not travel”.
Pakistan rating raised to “reconsider your desire to travel”.
Pakistani officials have yet to comment on the security threat to the hotel.
Islamabad police, however, have tightened security protocol in the city and implemented additional security checks at all entry and exit points, the country’s daily newspaper reported. Dawn
In the year The largest attack on a five-star hotel in Islamabad in 2008 killed at least 60 people when a truck loaded with at least 600 kilograms of explosives rammed through the front doors.
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