The United States will resume regular consular services in Lahore and Karachi from July 20, 2026. The US Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
The consulates will provide services to American citizens and process non-immigrant visa applications. Officials said normal operations would resume after several months of suspension.
Consular Services Were Suspended After Deadly Protests
The United States suspended consular services in March following deadly protests linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Security concerns prompted authorities to halt operations in both cities.
On March 1, protests near the US Consulate in Karachi turned violent. Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel left 10 people dead.
Authorities used tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters during the unrest. Reports also alleged US Marines opened fire during the incident.
Meanwhile, similar protests occurred near Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave. At least two protesters died, while more than 30 others suffered injuries during the clashes.
Security Review Leads To Service Restoration
Following the violence, the US State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to leave Pakistan. The directive covered the consulates in Lahore and Karachi.
Later, the State Department announced the phased closure of its consulate in Peshawar. Its operations were transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad.
Officials previously said the decision had been under consideration for more than a year. They also stated the closure was unrelated to the conflict involving Iran.
