The U.S. State department is stating that "specific threats" have prompted them to order the evacuation of the consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. They have also issued a warning to all U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to the region. The warning was issued Thursday night.
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“We have received information regarding a threat to our consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. As a precautionary measure we have undertaken a drawdown for all but emergency personnel in Lahore,” Meghan Gregonis, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said. “We do not have an announcement at this time on when the consulate will reopen. “
The information on this newest threat did not come from the Pakistani government and Gregonis did not specify if the closure was in response to the threats that closed other emabassies and consulates earlier in the week. Although, other un-named U.S. officials say that the threat is not connected with the earlier threats.
Security has increased around prisons and the capital of Islamabad as well. Airports and other sensitive installations in the country have been fortified and alerts have been issued by Pakistan’s federal government. Surveillance has been stepped up by air and on the ground.
The staff from the consulate in Lahore is being transferred to the embassy in Islamabad.
Lahore is near Pakistan’s border with India.