US cancels all visa appointments in Pakistan

Islamabad: The Embassy of the United States, Islamabad and US Consulates in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar have cancelled all visa appointments in Pakistan following nationwide demonstrations, some of which turned violent in Karachi, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, leaving at least 10 people dead and dozens injured.

In a statement posted on X, the US Embassy in Islamabad announced that all appointments for US visa services and American Citizen Services were cancelled for today, March 2, at the embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore.

The US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan also issued a security alert, stating that they are monitoring reports of ongoing demonstrations at the US Consulate General in Lahore and violent protests at the US Consulate General in Karachi, as well as calls for additional demonstrations at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Peshawar. US government personnel have been directed to restrict their movements until further notice.

The embassy advised US citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and observe strict personal security measures, including remaining aware of their surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) registration is up to date.

Due to protest activity around the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore and the US Embassy in Islamabad, all visa and American Citizen Services appointments for March 2 have been cancelled, the statement noted.

The embassy urged citizens to avoid large public gatherings, review personal security plans, monitor local media and email for updates regarding appointments, keep a low profile, carry identification at all times, and cooperate with local authorities.

At least 10 people were killed and several others injured on Sunday due to firing on protesters at the US Consulate who were protesting against the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike on Iran.