ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is imposing reciprocal restrictions on US diplomatsafter Washington announced that it would impose travel restrictions onPakistani diplomats starting from Friday, the media reported.
The authorities are planning to enforce restrictions on American diplomatsposted in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, Dawn News reported.
They are already prohibited from visiting high-security areas, such as theFederally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), to protect them againstpossible terrorist attacks.
It was reported last month that Pakistani diplomats would be restrictedfrom travelling more than 40 km from the embassy in Washington orconsulates in other cities without permission.
US Congressman Donald Norcross, a New Jersey Democrat said: “The importantthing is to have dialogue. And if (by imposing those restrictions) we areinhibiting conversation, I do not think that’s a smart thing to do.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Aizaz Chaudhry told the Voiceof America: “In my opinion, this is not the right decision.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has called it a matter of reciprocity becausemost foreign diplomats, including Americans, face travel restrictions inPakistan because of security concerns.