The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan. The Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs said in a Travel Warning update on Thursday that it ordered this draw-down due to "specific threats" concerning the U.S. Consulate in Lahore.
U.S. citizens have also been urged to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan.
20 U.S. Embassies or Consulates in North Africa and the Middle East suspended operations on Sunday fearing an al-Qaeda-inspired attack in the run-up to the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Despite being one of the most dangerous terrorist hot spots, Pakistan was not in the list.
The State Department reminded that the presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan. Across the country, terrorist attacks frequently occur against civilian, government, and foreign targets. Attacks have included armed assaults on heavily guarded sites, including Pakistani military installations. The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in the major cities. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit. Terrorists and criminal groups regularly resort to kidnapping for ransom.
Protests against the United States are not uncommon and have the potential to turn violent. U.S. citizens in Pakistan were strongly advised to avoid all protests and large gatherings.
The State Department has instructed U.S. officials in capital Islamabad to limit the frequency of their travel and minimize the duration of trips to public markets, restaurants, and other locations.
U.S. citizens who feel they are in danger or their security is at risk were strongly urged to depart Pakistan as soon as possible.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General can provide very limited assistance to U.S. citizens who have overstayed their Pakistani visas, the State September reminded.
U.S. citizens are already under immense threat throughout the country since Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad in May, 2011.
U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Pakistan despite this Travel Warning were urged to enroll with the Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulates General in Karachi, Lahore, or Peshawar.
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December 12, 2025 15:14 ET Central bank decisions dominated the economic news flow this week led by the Federal Reserve. Trade data from the U.S. also gained attention. The Canadian and Swiss central banks also announced their interest rate decisions. Inflation data from China was in focus as the country released the latest consumer price and producer price data.