ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: Britain, amid fears of an escalation in violence during voting, has advised its nationals to leave Pakistan before Thursday’s general election.

On its official website, the foreign office said the Britons should not travel to Pakistan unless there was a “compelling reason” to do so and where the traveller “has confidence in the security arrangements for the entire visit”.

“There is a significant threat from terrorism to visibly the Western institutions and individuals, particularly in major urban areas,” the message’s summary dated Oct 8, said on www.fco.gov.uk.

“The elections are likely to increase the levels of tension. They may also offer an opportunity to extremist groups to mount attacks, including against the Westerners”, it added.—Reuters