ISLAMABAD: The United States Embassy and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6, citing the prevailing security situation in the country.
In a notice issued to applicants, the US mission said routine visa services would remain suspended during this period. Affected applicants will be provided guidance regarding rescheduling of their appointments.
“Due to the current security situation, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6,” the embassy said in a post on X, advising applicants to monitor official channels for updates and further instructions.
The broader suspension follows an earlier decision by the US Mission to cancel all visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments scheduled for March 2 at its facilities in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
In a security alert issued on March 1, the mission said it was monitoring reports of demonstrations outside the US Consulate General in Lahore and protests near the US Consulate General in Karachi. The alert also referred to calls for additional demonstrations at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Peshawar.
As a precautionary measure, US government personnel were directed to restrict their movements until further notice. The mission advised US citizens to stay informed through local media, avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant about their surroundings and ensure their enrolment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is up to date.
It is pertinent to mention that protests erupted across the country on Sunday against US and Israeli strikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Violent clashes were reported outside the US Consulate in Karachi, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 36 injuries.
Demonstrations were also held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, where protesters clashed with law enforcement personnel. In several instances, police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowds. Authorities in Islamabad imposed Section 144 and blocked roads leading to the Red Zone.
In Karachi, protesters gathered outside the US Consulate and attempted to move towards the premises, pelting stones at security personnel, after which police used tear gas and other measures to disperse the mob.