The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has urged American citizens to think twice about travelling to Pakistan, citing risks related to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

“Violent extremist groups continue to plot attacks in Pakistan,” the State Department’s agency said in a statement on Friday. “Terrorist attacks are frequent in Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP), which include the former FATA.”

The advisory follows a renewed focus on illegal immigration initiatives that began shortly after President Donald Trump took office. The administration is reportedly preparing to reintroduce travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A Reuters report earlier this week said that such restrictions could prevent individuals from the specified countries from entering the US, with the measures potentially taking effect as soon as next week.

In an executive order issued on January 20, President Trump mandated enhanced security screening for all foreigners seeking entry into the United States to identify any national security threats.

An executive order issued by the Trump administration has mandated several cabinet members to provide a list of countries by March 12, from which travel should be partially or fully restricted due to inadequate vetting and screening processes.

At a press briefing at the Foreign Office on Thursday, spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan was asked about the issue but refrained from commenting, stating he had not reviewed the relevant report.

In its advisory available on its website, the US State Department has advised citizens to avoid traveling to the areas close to the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control, citing risks related to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

The department noted that violent extremist groups are actively planning attacks, with incidents being particularly common in Balochistan and KP.

The review highlighted the varying scales of terrorist activities in the region, stating that “terrorism and ongoing violence by extremist elements” have resulted in indiscriminate attacks on civilians as well as military and police targets.

“Terrorism and ongoing violence by extremist elements have led to indiscriminate attacks on civilian, as well as local military and police targets. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and government facilities. Terrorists have targeted US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past.”

The State Department’s agency warned that being near a protest could draw “scrutiny from Pakistani security forces” and added that US citizens have been detained for participating in protests and for posting content on social media “perceived as critical of the Pakistani government, military, or officials.”

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According to the advisory, Pakistan’s security environment “remains fluid, sometimes changing with little or no notice.”

It added that special authorization was “a must” for US government personnel working in Pakistan intending to travel to most areas outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Moreover, such personnel are “prohibited” from attending most large gatherings.

“The US Embassy and Consulates have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual US-Pakistani citizens who have been arrested or detained. Pakistani law considers such individuals to be exclusively citizens of Pakistan.”