ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed new travel restrictions on US diplomats living in the country, a source told AFP Sunday, in the latest sign of ties worsening since the killing of Osama bin Laden.
A letter sent to the US embassy in Islamabad increased limitations on when and how diplomats can move outside the capital, the diplomatic source said, without giving further details.
Pakistan is seen as a key ally for the United States in its fight against Islamist militancy, but relations have soured since US troops killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May without warning Islamabad of the raid.
Both governments moved to prevent any public outbreak of disagreement after the restrictions were reported in Pakistani newspapers on Sunday.
"We are working with the Pakistani government to resolve the issue," US embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said that "no US-specific restrictions have been applied" on diplomatic travel, but added it was "having a constructive engagement with the US Embassy in Islamabad in this regard".
"There are general guidelines regarding travel of Pakistan-based diplomats, designed only to ensure their safety and security, which have existed for a long time," it added in a statement.
"Pakistan has been harassing US personnel working in the country for months," a US official told the ABC news channel, which reported on Saturday that the CIA's Islamabad station chief had left Pakistan for medical reasons.
President Barack Obama's administration recently suspended about a third of its $2.7 billion annual defence aid to Pakistan, but assured Islamabad it was committed to a $7.5 billion civilian assistance package approved in 2009.
A British high commission spokesman said the Pakistan government guidelines now being implemented on travel for its diplomatic staff had existed for some time.
COMMENTS (20)
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Great .That is one huge memorial ! It IS different from all,Thanks a lot for the post. Im a massive fan of the blog,I’m reading every word here.
@Babloo: Curious to know is there any safe destination left in pakistan for freely travel ?
@Babloo: this is the desire of an Indian not and an American, and you sounds like a typical Indian not American though! and as a real American I oppose it.
This was long overdue. We may partly be a slovenly nation having corrupt politiians but like a human being a country can only sink low to a certain level of mendicity. But after all there is a limit and that limit hopefully has been reached. Now is the time for our politicians and rulers to show their mettle (if they have any). Salams.
@Babloo: Good!!! Why bother even to read our newspapers??? Why even take the trouble to comment??? Dont even think of coming for a short visit to Pakistan.
Americans in Pakistan are here on spying business whether he or she working in a diplomatic mission, have come on a business trip, or just a visitor.
Not many people would know that US Embassies and Consulates in Pakistan are protecting the interest of Israel with which Pakistan has no diplomatic relations.
For patriot Pakistanis, an American in Pakistan means an Israeli in Pakistan.
The agenda of America and Israel is common. It is to destroy the nuclear capability of Pakistan and to create civil unrest.
The more Government of Pakistan will listen to IMF, World Bank and to US Administration, the more it is going to hurt Pakistan itself and there a point will come, the point of ‘no return’.
@Bangash: Exactly! Since they are " normal diplomats", they must abide by the rules, the other diplomats are made to follow. The" Viceroy" kind of status, that they enjoyed during dictator ship of Musharaf, I hope is over.
yawn more gimmicks from govt
Pakistan should impose travel ban on all Americans. US should impose travel, trade ban on all Pakistanis. That would save US billions and meaningless diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. As an American I would support that.
and the goal of this stupid move is? acting like north korea or burma is not going to work!
Normal Duties??? Can you please elaborate on those normal duties or may be carrying fully automatic weapons with armor piercing rounds, along with fake number plates and sophisticated navigation and communication equipment. I am sure Pakistan is the only place where diplomats of such sort exist.
@Bangash:
yeaaah right! normal duties for US diplomats but not for other country diplomats!
A Good step Indeed!!
@Bangash: I do not know....i seriously "DO NO KNOW".....what these people want???? I feel confused......about what the HELL you want your government to do??.... i am SICK of this cynicism!....
Wait till US starts arresting and deporting Pakistanis living in USA ..
And choke the remittance channels ..
If Pakistan interferes with USA diplomats -- then the USA should just stop issuing Visa's to Pakistani's -- this kind of "gotcha" nonsense can be played both ways.
zaberdast! it was long overdue.
Petty and silly move by Pakistani govt. These diplomats perform normal duties and these restrictions will not stop any terrorism or espionage in Pakistan.