May 26, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 13,1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

BERLIN, May 25: Germany will recall non-essential diplomatic staff working in Pakistan because of an increased terrorist threat, the foreign ministry said Saturday.

“Only diplomatic personnel whose presence is essential will remain,” said a spokesman, without saying how many people were being repatriated.

Around 40 personnel currently work at the German embassy in Islamabad and 10 others in the consulate in the southern port city Karachi.

The announcement comes a day after France recalled all non-essential diplomatic staff working in Pakistan and advised all other citizens to leave the country for security reasons.

On Wednesday Britain said it would pull more than 150 diplomatic staff out of the country, shut its chancelleries and advise its citizens to leave the country after receiving a series of security threats.

The German foreign ministry spokesman added Saturday that embassies of European Union countries in Pakistan were tightening security measures because of heightened tension between India and Pakistan over disputed Kashmir.—AFP