US stops consular services at Peshawar mission, issues travel warning

US consulate in Lahore to remain closed due to 'renovations'

In fresh travel advisories issued on Tuesday, the US government said that two of its four missions in Pakistan were currently closed for consular services including Peshawar and in Lahore.

The US Embassy said in a statement, US Consulate General Lahore and US Consulate General Peshawar are open but have a limited operational status, which does not include provision of consular services, as has been the case for some time.”

“US Consulate General Karachi continues to provide full consular services, as does the US Embassy in Islamabad,” it added.

The US Department of State routinely issues updates to travel warnings for countries around the world.

As the Department of State warns US citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan, it also replaced its Travel Warning dated August 8, 2014 and reminds US citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.

Read: Terror threat: US orders non-essential staff out of Lahore consulate

The warning added that the consulate in Peshawar will no longer offer consular services.

However, the Embassy in Islamabad and the consulate in Karachi will continue to provide services for all US citizens in Pakistan. It urged all those US citizens, who remain in the country despite the warnings, to remain in touch with these two missions.

US officials in Islamabad were instructed to limit the frequency of their travel and minimise duration of trips to public markets, restaurants, and other locations.

It highlighted the threat to US citizens and Westerners who are prone to be targeted by terrorists groups in addition to attacks on APS, Wagah and Karachi airport.