ISLAMABAD: The US Mission in Pakistan on Wednesday cautioned its citizens to avoid traveling to Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque citing threats from the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group, urging its nationals to keep a low profile and monitor local media for updates.
The statement from the American mission comes days after a cryptic video was widely shared on social media, showing a person holding up a piece of paper in front of the Faisal Mosque with the TTP’s flag drawn on it.
The TTP has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians since 2007. After a fragile truce between the banned outfit and the state broke down in November 2022, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
“Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants have issued threats against Faisal Mosque, in Islamabad,” the US Mission in Pakistan wrote on its website. “The US Embassy Regional Security Office has prohibited US employee travel to the Faisal Mosque area until further notice.”
The iconic Faisal Mosque is spread over 54,000 square feet and has the capacity to accommodate over 250,000 people at a time. It houses hundreds of worshippers during prominent religious events and Friday congregational prayers. It is also a popular tourist resort for foreigners.
The mission urged American nationals to avoid traveling to the area around the mosque, exercise caution and leave it if they find themselves unexpectedly in the vicinity of a large gathering or demonstration. It advised citizens to review their personal security plan, monitor local media for updates and “keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings.”
It also urged US citizens to cooperation with Pakistani authorities and review the country security report for Pakistan.
In September last year, the US embassy advised its nationals to reconsider traveling to Pakistan “due to terrorism” and “increased risks” of violence in some parts of the country amid a resurgence in militant violence.
The embassy had advised citizens against traveling to the southwestern Balochistan province and KP, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) due to “terrorism.”
The TTP has carried out attacks in Pakistan as it seeks to impose their strict brand of Islam in the country. Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to take action against the banned outfit in its territory, accusing the militants of using Afghan soil to launch attacks against it. The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan deny Pakistan’s accusations.
Ties between the two countries deteriorated after Pakistan carried out cross-border strikes against alleged TTP targets in Afghanistan last year.
US cautions citizens against traveling to Faisal Mosque citing threats from Pakistani Taliban
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US cautions citizens against traveling to Faisal Mosque citing threats from Pakistani Taliban
- Video shared widely on social media days earlier shows person holding up a drawing of TTP flag in front of iconic mosque
- Outlawed TTP outfit have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan’s civilians, security forces since 2007
Pakistan terms climate change, demographic pressures as ‘pressing existential risks’
- Pakistan has suffered frequent climate change-induced disasters, including floods this year that killed over 1,000
- Pakistan finmin highlights stabilization measures at Doha Forum, discusses economic cooperation with Qatar
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Saturday described climate change and demographic pressures as “pressing existential risks” facing the country, calling for urgent climate financing.
The finance minister was speaking as a member of a high-level panel at the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum, which is being held from Dec. 6–7 in the Qatari capital. Aurangzeb was invited as a speaker on the discussion titled: ‘Global Trade Tensions: Economic Impact and Policy Responses in MENA.’
“He reaffirmed that while Pakistan remained vigilant in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, the more pressing existential risks were climate change and demographic pressures,” the Finance Division said.
Pakistan has suffered repeated climate disasters in recent years, most notably the 2022 super-floods that submerged one-third of the country, displaced millions and caused an estimated $30 billion in losses.
This year’s floods killed over 1,000 people and caused at least $2.9 billion in damages to agriculture and infrastructure. Scientists say Pakistan remains among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations despite contributing less than 1 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions.
Aurangzeb has previously said climate change and Pakistan’s fast-rising population are the only two factors that can hinder the South Asian country’s efforts to become a $3 trillion economy in the future.
The finance minister noted that this year’s floods in Pakistan had shaved at least 0.5 percent off GDP growth, calling for urgent climate financing and investment in resilient infrastructure.
When asked about Pakistan’s fiscal resilience and capability to absorb external shocks, Aurangzeb said Islamabad had rebuilt fiscal buffers. He pointed out that both the primary fiscal balance and current account had returned to surplus, supported significantly by strong remittance inflows of $18–20 billion annually from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.
Separately, Aurangzeb met his Qatari counterpart Ali Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari to discuss bilateral cooperation.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties, particularly by maximizing opportunities created through the newly concluded GCC–Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, expanding trade flows, and deepening energy cooperation, including long-term LNG collaboration,” the finance ministry said.
The two also discussed collaboration on digital infrastructure, skills development and regulatory reform. They agreed to establish structured mechanisms to continue joint work in trade diversification, technology, climate resilience, and investment facilitation, the finance ministry said.
