Pakistan: 139 Pakistani militants and groups on updated UN terrorist list

Event

The UN Security Council's consolidated list of terrorist individuals and entities now includes 139 entries from Pakistan. The list - updated on April 3 - identifies militants who have lived in Pakistan, operated within the country, or have been associated with groups that use Pakistani territory for carrying out their operations. Among the 139 are Al-Qa'ida's Ayman al-Zawahiri (Osama bin Laden's heir apparent) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists. 

Context

There is a high threat of terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. The main terrorist threat comes from Tehrik-e Taleban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella organization of groups primarily based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The TTP predominately carry out attacks targeting the state but have also announced intent to launch attacks on Western interests. 

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals present in Pakistan are advised to remain vigilant, keep a low profile, and avoid crowds and public gatherings..