As situation worsens in Pakistan, US, UK, Canada issue travel alert
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Islamabad, Pakistan: As the situation in Pakistan, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, becomes chaotic, several nations issued travel advisories to their citizens visiting the nation.
The United States, United Kingdom and Canada asked their citizens to be wary of protests happening in various parts of the nation, ARY News reported.
The arrest of Imran Khan, who is the chair of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case has precipitated an unusual crisis for the nation.
The arrest caused demonstrations, sparking clashes between Khan’s supporters and the police, prompting authorities to clamp internet outages in several places.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse Khan’s supporters in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities where protesters flooded streets in their thousands.
Khan’s party claimed that several protesters were killed and dozens injured in the clashes happening, however authorities did not immediately release their own figures, The Washington Post reported.
Given the volatile situation, the US, Canada and the UK have issued travel advisories for their citizens and diplomatic staff.
The US Embassy urged its citizens in Pakistan to be cautious while saying that it is ‘monitoring earlier reports of clashes between demonstrators and police in Islamabad and also sporadic demonstrations underway or being planned elsewhere throughout Pakistan.’
The US Embassy in Islamabad alongside cancelling consular appointments for May 10 asked US citizens to avoid locations with larger crowds and review personal security plans including carrying identification and follow local media for updates.
The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised UK citizens that protests in Pakistan can occur with little warning of which most of them are peaceful but they can turn violent quickly.
The Canadian government also issued warning to it citizens saying that ‘There is a threat of terrorism, civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping.’