The United States embassy in Pakistan, fearing fallout from military strikes on Afghanistan, has asked Washington to allow non-essential staff and dependants to depart.
"The September 11th terrorist attack in the United States and plans for a possible response may result in significant changes in the security situation for Americans residing in and visiting Pakistan," said the statement. It was distributed in Islamabad and Karachi, where there is a US consulate.
The statement called for the State Department to give non-essential employees and dependants the option of departing Pakistan.
It said some US diplomats and dependants were temporarily being moved from the northwestern city of Peshawar to Islamabad and that all staff in the country were advised to finalise plans for a possible departure.
The British foreign office yesterday advised nationals to stay away from Pakistan as pressure grew on neighbouring Afghanistan to surrender Osama bin Laden or face US retaliation for last week's terror attacks.