Terror panic in Pakistan as US,China issue advisories

Pakistan on Saturday beefed up security for the foreigners following a series of anti-US and Israel demonstrations that has erupted throughout the country following the United States' announcement to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Thousands of protesters rallied in the heart of Islamabad on Friday to condemn the US decision.

The protesters remained peaceful through the rally. However, law enforcement agencies tightened security outside the Diplomatic Enclave, which is home to the US embassy and other foreign missions. Similar demonstrations were observed across cities and towns of Pakistan.

Alarmed by the fresh anti-US wave, the Department of State on Thursday issued a fresh advisory warning to American citizens against all non-essential travel to Pakistan. A US diplomat stationed in Islamabad told this correspondent that advisory was issued in view of countrywide demonstrations after President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "Security has been beefed up across country," said an official of Interior Ministry.

He didn't give more details. It is worth mentioning that the US Department of State had also issued travel warning to its citizens on May 22, 2017. As part of the guidelines, the US Embassy in Islamabad has also advised American citizens to maintain high level of vigilance and take appropriate measures for personal safety against possible attacks.

It has advised citizens against visiting places of large gatherings, protests and demonstrations as "even peaceful might turn confrontational and escalate into violence". Along with the US, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan has also advised its citizens residing in the country to remain vigilant and take precautions to ensure their safety.

The embassy said it has been informed that terrorists were planning "a series of attacks soon" against Chinese, according to a statement released on Friday. "The embassy alerts all Chinese organisations and citizens in Pakistan to stay vigilant, safeguard personal security, reduce time spent outside and avoid going to crowded places as much as possible," the statement said.

The Chinese should cooperate with Pakistani police and military and contact the Chinese embassy if necessary, it added. Pakistan has already deployed 15,000 military personnel as part of the Special Security Division (SSD) and Maritime Security Force (MSF) to protect projects under the umbrella of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both forces will work under the Interior Ministry in coordination with the provinces to ensure the safety of locals and foreigners working on CPEC projects.

According to an estimate, as many as 20,000 Chinese are in Pakistan, where China and its companies are involved in 300 projects. More than 9,000 of them are working under CPEC, which has been declared the flagship project of Beijing's 'Road and Belt Initiative'. Despite fresh advisory by the embassy of China in Pakistan, Chinese nationals residing in Pakistan consider it their second home.

"Pakistan is our second home. We feel safe here, as always," said a Chinese national residing in Islamabad for the last three years. Pakistan's foreign office was yet to respond to fresh advisories given by the USA and China. Defence and security experts believe Pakistan is on high alert in terms of security because of the ongoing demonstrations against US President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Sohail Bhati, Islamabad-based defence and security expert believe enemies of Pakistan are conspiring against CPEC.

"The threat is always there. People who are opposed to Pakistan are opposed to Pakistan-China cooperation, and the China-Pakistan Corridor," he said.