Precautionary measures: FO warns diplomats to keep low profile in Karachi

The advisory letter asks them to avoid shopping malls.

The ministry of foreign affairs has advised foreign diplomats stationed at Karachi to restrict their movement in anticipation of terrorist attacks in the city.

The warning comes in the wake of several attacks on sensitive locations, such as the Karachi and Peshawar airports, in recent days.

In a letter sent out to all consulates in the city, the foreign office has requested the diplomats to keep a low profile and avoid visiting shopping malls until further notice from the ministry. The letter states that the warning is based on intelligence reports regarding a potential attack targeting diplomats based in the city. “Based on information received from a security agency, all Karachi-based diplomats are advised to restrict their movement and remain low-profile for their own safety and security,” the letter states.

There are a number of foreign missions based in Karachi, almost all located in the posh localities of Clifton and Defence Housing Authority. Though security measures are quite stringent at the offices of these missions, the foreign office has advised diplomats to be extra cautious.



The advice has not been directed at a particular foreign mission, nor does it reveal the nature of the intelligence reports on which it is based.

Karimul Islam, an employee of the public affairs office at the US Consulate General confirmed that the consulate had received the letter. “Yes, we have received an advisory letter from the ministry but I cannot discuss it.”

Johnson Williams, the press attaché at the British Deputy High Commission also confirmed that the mission’s Karachi office had received a letter bur refused to comment.

The vice-consul at the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi, Yin Minjun, said that the mission had received such a letter. “We know that the letter was sent to all embassies and foreign missions in the city, but we were not told the exact nature of the threats.” The vice-consul added that the embassy was taking the matter seriously and that all diplomats were asked to ensure they complied with the advice for their own safety.

On the other hand, the Sindh Police spokesperson claimed that foreign missions had already been given extra security. “We are in a state of war and there are security threats everywhere,” he said. “Though there is no information of any particular potential attack, we are just being extra careful.”

A Rangers official claimed that paramilitary personnel were already deployed at missions for security.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2014.