The US State Department has issued a security warning for Karachi after receiving intelligence about a possible threat against luxury hotels in the city. 

In a precautionary move, the US Consulate General in Karachi has temporarily barred official visits by American government staff to these hotels. 

“The US Consulate General Karachi received a report of a threat directed at high-end hotels in Karachi,” the mission said in a statement, adding that access for US government personnel would remain restricted until further notice. 

The alert comes amid persistent concerns over safety in Pakistan’s largest cities, where political unrest, sectarian tensions, and terrorist violence have periodically erupted. While the consulate did not disclose specifics of the threat, officials noted that Washington routinely adjusts security protocols for its diplomats in response to credible intelligence. 

US citizens in Pakistan are being urged to avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant, and keep a low profile, especially in venues popular with foreigners, such as upscale hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and tourist sites. The advisory also reiterated that Pakistan is under a Level 3 travel warning, which urges travelers to reconsider visiting due to terrorism and armed conflict. 

Karachi, despite local efforts to improve safety, has experienced periodic violence in recent years. Luxury hotels, often frequented by diplomats, aid workers, journalists, and business travelers, are considered potential targets in the event of attacks. 

The move to restrict staff travel reflects the US government’s broader policy of proactive risk management at its diplomatic missions. Security analysts note that while not all alerts point to an imminent danger, they are based on intelligence reviews and treated seriously. The consulate’s decision highlights the ongoing difficulties of safeguarding US personnel in volatile regions. 

The situation is being closely monitored. Restrictions will be lifted once threat levels are reassessed. In the meantime, Americans are encouraged to follow updates from US diplomatic missions and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time security information. 

 

File Photo : Puneet Chhatwal Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).
| Photo Credit:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Tata Group hospitality firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is putting the spotlight on the North East for new properties in line with India’s ambition of developing the region, according to its Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal.

The company has a portfolio of 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East, and six hotels with 634 rooms in the pipeline.

Developing properties in the East and North East has been a part of a strategic initiative, Chhatwal told PTI.

“Like 50 years ago it was Goa, 30 years ago it was Kerala. More recently, you heard about Lakshadweep. Now it is the North East — which is also in line with India’s ambition of developing the North East — our contribution as a Tata Group company,” he noted.

Elaborating on some of the new projects that the company is undertaking in the North East, he said,”IHCL has committed to projects like Jagiroad in Assam, opposite the Tata Electronics factory that is coming up.”

Moreover, he said,”There are also the conversion of two properties — one is the existing Vivanta in Guwahati which will be upgraded to Taj. We will see an extension of that asset with a number of rooms, banquet halls, etc. We will also be building another hotel in Kaziranga (in Assam).”

Chhatwal also reiterated that IHCL has signed its first ‘Taj Palace’ property in the North East with the ‘Taj Pushpabanta Palace’ in Agartala, Tripura.

The property was signed in May this year in a public-private partnership with the Tripura government. Under the partnership, the Pushpabanta Palace built in 1917 as a holiday home for the king and his guests will be developed to have 100 rooms to be housed in a newly built structure.

The refurbishment and expansion are expected to be completed in the next three years, IHCL had earlier said.

Last month, IHCL and the Ambuja Neotia Group had announced an agreement for 15 new hotels mostly in the East and North East India.

Published on August 3, 2025

New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Tata Group hospitality firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is putting the spotlight on the North East for new properties in line with India’s ambition of developing the region, according to its Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal.

The company has a portfolio of 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East, and six hotels with 634 rooms in the pipeline.

Developing properties in the East and North East has been a part of a strategic initiative, Chhatwal told PTI.

“Like 50 years ago it was Goa, 30 years ago it was Kerala. More recently, you heard about Lakshadweep. Now it is the North East — which is also in line with India’s ambition of developing the North East — our contribution as a Tata Group company,” he noted.

Elaborating on some of the new projects that the company is undertaking in the North East, he said,”IHCL has committed to projects like Jagiroad in Assam, opposite the Tata Electronics factory that is coming up.”

Moreover, he said,”There are also the conversion of two properties — one is the existing Vivanta in Guwahati which will be upgraded to Taj. We will see an extension of that asset with a number of rooms, banquet halls, etc. We will also be building another hotel in Kaziranga (in Assam).”

Chhatwal also reiterated that IHCL has signed its first ‘Taj Palace’ property in the North East with the ‘Taj Pushpabanta Palace’ in Agartala, Tripura.

The property was signed in May this year in a public-private partnership with the Tripura government. Under the partnership, the Pushpabanta Palace built in 1917 as a holiday home for the king and his guests will be developed to have 100 rooms to be housed in a newly built structure.

The refurbishment and expansion are expected to be completed in the next three years, IHCL had earlier said.

Last month, IHCL and the Ambuja Neotia Group had announced an agreement for 15 new hotels mostly in the East and North East India.