WASHINGTON, Oct 8: The United States said on Tuesday that the situation in Pakistan was unpredictable and urged its citizens living in the country to exercise “utmost caution”.

The warning, issued by the State Department here and the US embassy in Islamabad, came as US television networks showed scenes of mobs rampaging through major cities after Maulana Azam Tariq’s murder.

The notice advised Americans to ensure their passports and other travel documents were current and valid but stayed short of asking them to leave the country on a short notice.

“The situation is volatile and unpredictable,” said the notice distributed to US citizens in Pakistan.

“American citizens are advised to limit their movements, to observe the utmost caution in their activities at this time, and to check the US embassy website for further developments,” it said.

“US citizens should ensure that their travel documents remain valid for travel and are urged to register and obtain updated security information at the US embassy or consulates,” it added.

The notice comes less than a week after Pakistan requested the US to revise its travel warnings and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali told a group of Americans that they should invest in Pakistan.