ISLAMABAD, May 15: The British Council was temporarily closed here on Wednesday for security reasons on the instructions of the British High Commission, sources informed Dawn.
The decision was taken after the British Council received threats, on telephone and e-mail, of harming the British interests, they said.
“The situation would be reviewed and only then a decision would be taken to open the British Council on Thursday or not,” an official said.
Till late night no instructions for attending the office were received, the official said.
The British government, the sources said, had advised its nationals to take extra security measures in the light of March 17 grenade attack on the International Protestant Church in Islamabad and the May 8 suicide attack on a bus carrying French nationals in Karachi.
“In the light of these two serious incidents British nationals should review their security procedures and exercise added caution when attending regular timed events and vary the routes and timing of vehicle runs,” a travel advisory issued by the British government said.
The advisory also warned against travel to Pakistan for holiday and other non-essential journeys unless those who intend to do so were familiar with the country and had contacts such as family or friends.
The British government, the sources said, had advised its citizens against all travel to the Northern Areas and northern Balochistan where an operation to hunt down the Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives is under way.
The British government termed the security situation in Pakistan as uncertain following the continuing conflict in Afghanistan, the recently heightened tension between India and Pakistan and anti-Western attacks in the country.
“There remains a threat from terrorism in major urban areas and the British nationals should be fully alert to events, including in Afghanistan, which might affect their security.
“Pakistan is one of a number of countries where we believe global terrorism poses an increased threat to visibly British institutions and organizations”, the British government said.
The US embassy, the sources said, had also issued a Warden Notice following the May 8 suicide attack in Karachi which killed 11 French technicians and three Pakistanis.
“The attack is a stark reminder to all Americans living in and travelling through Pakistan of the need to vary times, routes and schedules,” the US embassy said.
The US embassy reminded all Americans to maintain a low profile and avoid predictable patterns and behaviours.
It also recommended that those staying in Pakistan on long- term temporary duty assignments to disperse into various safe accommodations and avoid predictable, high profile movements.
Earlier, the US embassy issued a travel warning to alert Americans that the US State Department has ordered the departure of all non-emergency personnel and family members of the US embassy and consulates in Pakistan.
Moreover, Americans in Pakistan were urged to consider departing the country, sources said.
“The possibility of threats to Americans continues, as demonstrated by the March 17 attack on worshippers at a church service in Islamabad underscoring the possibility that terrorists may seek civilian targets,” the US embassy said.
The US government warned its citizens to defer travel to Pakistan as the terrorist groups have demonstrated a willingness to hit civilian as well as official targets.
Following the increased security at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers would seek less well-protected targets which might include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events, the US embassy said.
Sources in the interior ministry said security had been tightened in the Diplomatic Enclave and all locations which could be a potential target for terrorists.