The United States Embassy in Islamabad, along with its Consulate Generals in Lahore and Karachi, has announced a temporary suspension of all visa appointments through Friday, March 6. This decision comes as a direct response to the heightened security situation prevailing across various parts of Pakistan. The US diplomatic missions have urged visa applicants to stay alert for further updates and instructions regarding rescheduling their appointments.
In an official statement shared on social media, the US Embassy emphasized that routine visa services will remain on hold during this period. While the embassy refrained from disclosing specific details about the security threats prompting this move, it reassured affected individuals that guidance on how to rearrange their visa interviews would be provided in due course. This suspension marks an extension of an earlier halt announced on Sunday, March 2, when all US visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments were cancelled across Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore facilities.
The escalation in security concerns is linked to recent reports of protests and demonstrations targeting US diplomatic missions in Pakistan. A security alert issued on March 1 highlighted ongoing demonstrations outside the US Consulate General in Lahore and similar protests near the US Consulate General in Karachi. Additionally, there were warnings about potential gatherings at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Peshawar. As a precaution, US government personnel have been instructed to limit their movements until further notice to ensure their safety.
US citizens residing in or visiting Pakistan have been advised to remain vigilant by following local news updates and adopting personal security measures. These include staying aware of their surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and keeping their registration with the US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) current. These steps are crucial given the volatile environment and the possibility of further unrest.
The backdrop to these security measures is a wave of protests that erupted across Pakistan on Sunday, triggered by US and Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrations quickly spread to major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi. In Karachi, violent clashes outside the US Consulate led to multiple casualties, with at least 10 people killed and 36 others injured. Protesters attempted to breach consulate premises by throwing stones, prompting police to respond with shelling and other forceful tactics to disperse the crowds.
Authorities in Islamabad responded by imposing Section 144, a legal order prohibiting public gatherings, and blocking access routes to the sensitive red zone area where the US Embassy is located. Similar law enforcement measures were observed in other cities to contain the unrest. The intensity of these protests and the resulting violence have significantly impacted the operational capabilities of US diplomatic missions in Pakistan, necessitating the temporary suspension of visa services to safeguard staff and visitors alike.
