Pakistan has imposed new travel restrictions on US diplomats living
in the country, a source told AFP Sunday, in the latest sign of
worsening ties since the killing of Osama bin Laden.
A letter
sent to the US embassy in Islamabad increased limitations on when and
how diplomats can move outside the capital, the diplomatic source said,
without giving further details.
Pakistan is seen as a key ally
for the US in its fight against Islamist militancy, but relations have
soured since the US gave Islamabad no warning of its raid into Pakistan
in May that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Both
governments moved to prevent any public outbreak of disagreement after
the restrictions were reported in Pakistani newspapers on Sunday.
"We are working with the Pakistani government to resolve the issue," US embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said.
Pakistan's
foreign ministry said that "no US-specific restrictions have been
applied" on diplomatic travel, but added it was "having a constructive
engagement with the US Embassy in Islamabad in this regard".
"There
are general guidelines regarding travel of Pakistan-based diplomats,
designed only to ensure their safety and security, which have existed
for a long time," it added in a statement.
Relations between the
US and Pakistan have been under strain in the wake of the raid that
killed bin Laden, who was found living near Pakistan's main military
academy.
President Barack Obama's administration recently
suspended about a third of its $2.7 billion annual defence aid to
Pakistan, but assured Islamabad it was committed to a $7.5 billion
civilian assistance package approved in 2009. AFP
