U.S. introduces travel curbs for citizens in Pakistan

The United States has imposed travel restrictions for its employees throughout Pakistan following angry protest demonstrations against the anti-Islam film, the U.S. embassy said Tuesday. The restrictions have been introduced as anti-U.S. demonstrations continued across Pakistan on Tuesday and more are planned in the coming days. One person was killed and dozens others were injured in a protest outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi on Sunday. The demonstrators had crossed police barriers and reached the consulate, removed American flag and also stoned the building. Activists of religious and political parties clashed with the police near the U.S. consulate in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Tuesday. The police fired in the air, used tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse the demonstrators. They also burnt a U.S. flag. At least one protester was injured. "This security message informs U.S. citizens living in Pakistan that the U.S. government has instituted travel restrictions for its employees throughout the country," the U.S. embassy said in a statement posted on its website. The alert says that the U.S. government employees can now undertake essential travel only, including within the cities of the capital Islamabad and three provincial capitals -- Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, due to possible demonstrations moving along major routes. The U.S. has consulates in the three cities. "We remind U.S. citizens that demonstrations and protests in Pakistan are often spontaneous and can occur with little advance notice". The message urged U.S. citizens to avoid all protests and demonstrations and maintain a low profile. The U.S. citizens have also been asked to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate by monitoring their websites for updates on the security situation in Pakistan.