Islamabad: Pakistan announced travel restrictions on American diplomats in the country on Friday following Washington’s decision to implement similar limitations on the movement of Pakistani diplomats in the United States.

The Foreign Office in Islamabad announced the restrictions and withdrawal of special facilities to US embassy and consulate staff on Friday.

In a letter addressed to the Embassy of the United States of America, a copy of which is available with Gulf News, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision had been taken following the recent State Department move to introduce a new travel regime for Pakistani diplomats and their dependents from May 11, 2018.

Under the US rules, Pakistani diplomats have to stay within 40 kilometres of the city in which they are posted.

The reciprocal actions announced in Islamabad’s notification include travel restrictions, as well as treating US diplomatic cargo at Pakistani airports and ports in accordance with Vienna Convention’s Article 27, “which does not provide for an exemption from scanning” and rules governing interaction between foreign diplomats and Pakistani officials.

The notification also announced the withdrawal of a slew of privileges extended to US diplomats, which had been allowed as a protection measure.

The facilities that were withdraw include the use of tinted glass on official vehicles and rented transport, use of non-diplomatic number plates on official vehicles, use of diplomatic number plates on unspecified or rented vehicles and overshooting visa periods and/or the use of multiple passports.

The embassy will also have to seek no objection certificates from the ministry to install radio communication at residences and safe houses, and while renting property or moving from one property to another.

All cellphone SIM cards used by diplomats would have to be biometrically verified or registered.

Escalating ‘cold war’

Commenting on the development, senior defence analyst Talat Masood, said “Pakistan had to take reciprocal action as US has put unwarranted restrictions on Pakistani diplomats.”

He also said that it is unclear whether US action is the reflection of American anger against Pakistan for not supporting the US strategy in Afghanistan or if Washington is intensifying pressure on Islamabad.

Former ambassador to the US Abida Hussain said “the recent move indicates escalating cold war between Pakistan and United States” which is not beneficial for either country. She hoped that eventually US might realise that such pressures may not work for lasting relationship.

Veteran analyst Imtiaz Gul who keeps a close eye on Afghanistan affairs said that “Pakistan has rightly taken the reciprocal action in view of America’s unjustified action to restrict the movement of our diplomats,” adding that it is a sign of US tilt towards India and antipathy for Pakistan as evident from Trump South Asia policy.

Gul suggested that since Pakistan is being isolated by certain foreign forces, “Islamabad should take necessary action to align with China and Russia and take corrective measures to strengthen security at home.”