The Security Bureau of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Sunday reminded Hong Kong residents traveling to Pakistan to keep themselves abreast of the developments and pay attention to personal safety due to a state of emergency declared by the country.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said that the HKSAR government would continue to closely monitor the situation in the country, adding Hong Kong residents in Pakistan who need assistance may contact the local Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General in their destination or call the Hong Kong Immigration Department' s 24-hour hotline at (852)1868.

The telephone numbers and addresses of the Chinese Embassies/ Consulates-General overseas can be obtained by calling the Immigration Department at (852)2824 6111 or (852)1868, he said.

Pakistani President Musharraf on Saturday declared a state of emergency in the country and issued a provisional constitutional order, citing the ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, and the abuse of the judiciary in the country.

Under the provisional constitutional order, the Constitution of Pakistan has been put in abeyance. But the National Assembly, Senate and the provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will remain functional. The Prime Minister and his cabinet, Chief Ministers and provincial cabinets and the governors and all those in the service of Pakistan will also continue performing their duties.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2007)