Strictly avoid Pakistan's Marriott hotel: State Department warns US citizens in Islamabad

Islamabad: Days after The State Department issued a travel advisory for US citizens, the US government on Sunday specifically warned its people staying here, asking them to strictly avoid Pakistan's Marriott hotel for the next few days.

According to India Today, as per the travel advisory issued by the US State Department – the embassy is categorically aware of a general but uncorroborated threat against the Marriott hotel in Islamabad. "US citizens are advised to avoid the area for the next several days to allow time to assess the situation," the advisory read.

The advisory further urged US citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan and reminded them of the ongoing security concerns in the country.

However, according to a statement issued by the US State Department earlier on Friday, the American Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi will continue to provide consular services for all US citizens in Pakistan.

On April 16, 2015, an American educator was shot by two gunmen on motorbikes. Evidence suggests she was targeted, in part, because she was a US citizen.

Asserting that the Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, following attacks or in response to threats, the State Department had earlier said that sectarian violence remains a serious threat countrywide and the Government of Pakistan continues to enforce blasphemy laws.