US advises its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan

The United States has advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan, saying that foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a threat to them throughout the country. 

The warning by the state department comes in the wake of increasing terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks, in Pakistan.State Department said, targeted attacks against government officials, humanitarian and



non-governmental organisation employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel were common in Pakistan. 

It said, sectarian violence remains a serious threat throughout the country, and the Pakistani government continues to enforce blasphemy laws. 

Religious minority communities have been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy, it said.