Foreigners based in Pakistan are being watched more closely and face greater restrictions of movement, U.S. and aid officials said. Some officials say these may be Pakistan's way of showing resentment against recent U.S. actions, The Washington Post reported.
The report said the restraints have included Pakistani police refusing four times in the past 10 days to let U.S. Embassy employees enter Peshawar, the violence-torn northwest city, for routine trips.
International aid groups say there are growing requirements for federal permits to travel in areas easily accessed earlier.
These incidents could further affect relations between the United States and Pakistan that have been strained since the May 2 killing by U.S. forces of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden deep inside Pakistan.
International aid groups say the bilateral differences could also adversely impact humanitarian work in regions hit by floods and conflicts.
The travel and other restrictions mostly apply to the northwest areas near the tribal regions seen as havens for militants, the report said.
Pakistani officials told the Post the restrictions are only to ensure the safety of foreigners. But one provincial official said the restrictions also reflect concerns that foreigners have too much latitude in Pakistan.
Whether or not such incidents are a deliberate effort to thwart the movements of Americans, one U.S. official said they are "not a constructive way to rebuild the relationship," the Post said
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