UN raises security level at its Pakistan offices

The United Nations today raised the security level at its offices in Pakistan and asked the families of foreign staff to leave the country in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks.
       
The security level in UN offices in Islamabad and Peshawar was raised to 'Phase III' and the world body’s staff were asked to limit their activities. The decision was made following a review of the security situation in the country, official sources said.

The review was carried out in the aftermath of a suicide car bomb attack on the luxury Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar in which five UN employees ?" including two foreigners and three Pakistanis ?" were killed. A total of 17 people died in the attack on June 9.

The UN has five phases in its security arrangements for its offices around the world. Under Phase III, strict security procedures are in place and dependents are not allowed to live with the staff members.
 
In Phase IV the UN only conducts emergency operations and in Phase V, staff is evacuated from a country affected by security problems.

Meanwhile, UN spokesperson Ishrat Rizvi dispelled reports that the world body had closed its offices in Pakistan due to security issues. She told reporters a routine security review to assess the safety of staff is conducted in every country.