The United States Tuesday announced it was halting public services at its embassy and consulates in Pakistan, amid security concerns following the killing of Osama bin Laden, DPA reported.
"The US Embassy in Islamabad and the consulates in Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi are closed for routine business to the general public ie visas, etc until further notice," embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said.
The US missions would remain open for other business, including emergency support of its citizens, he said.
The US has scaled up security at its facilities since al-Qaeda leader bin Laden was killed early Monday by US forces in Abbottabad, 60 kilometres north-east of capital Islamabad.
Analysts have expressed concern that militants linked to al-Qaeda may launch revenge attacks.
The Dawn newspaper reported Tuesday that the Pakistani Taliban, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has threatened to attack Pakistan and the US.
"If (bin Laden) has been martyred, we will avenge his death and launch attacks against the American and Pakistani government and its security forces," the paper quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying.
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