Islamabad has responded to warnings by foreign governments about the safety of their citizens living in Pakistan, saying it can provide all necessary security and calling for calm.

The comments came a day after the British Government announced it was scaling down its operations in Pakistan following threats against British interests.

There remains a significant threat from terrorism in major urban areas, there is considerable risk to personal security

UK Foreign Office document

Meanwhile Australia asked all its citizens to leave the country or defer travel there.

Canberra's Foreign Affairs Department warned Australians to take account of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan but added Australia had no immediate plans to evacuate diplomatic staff from either country.

New Zealand has also urged its citizens to avoid all but essential business travel to Pakistan.

There have been a series of attacks on foreigners in Pakistan this year carried out by Islamic militants opposed to the US campaign in neighbouring Afghanistan.

But the latest threats come amid an increase in tension between Pakistan and India over Kashmir.

Reassurances

The BBC's Susannah Price in Islamabad says the British Government's decision on Wednesday to withdraw many of its staff will only serve to reinforce Pakistan's image as a dangerous place for foreigners.

Attacks against foreigners

January - Kidnap and subsequent murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl 17 March - Five people, including three foreigners, killed in Islamabad church grenade attack 8 May - Car bomb kills 15 on Karachi bus, including 12 French technicians

"There remains a significant threat from terrorism in major urban areas," the Foreign Office warning said.

"There is considerable risk to personal security."

But Pakistan is trying to reassure those who remain that they are safe.

Information Minister Nisar Memon said they had stepped up security and it would be difficult for extremists to enter any of the major cities.

The minister said if the British High Commission had contacted them, his government could have helped out. He advised foreigners not to panic.

Many of the staff and their families at the High Commission in Islamabad are now making preparations to leave and those who are staying have been told to take extra precautions.

International pressure

The British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, is due to visit Pakistan and India next week to try to ease the increasing tension between the two countries.

Pakistan says it still hopes that international pressure will persuade Delhi to start a dialogue.

However, President Pervez Musharraf has said that if war is forced on his country, the enemy will find them fully prepared.

The government has suggested that if there is a conflict, they may have to withdraw their troops on the western border with Afghanistan, where they are involved in trying to hunt down any al-Qaeda or Taleban suspects.