US visa operations suspended
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the United States in Islamabad and its consulates in Lahore and Karachi have suspended visa operations amid the law and order situation after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The visa operations will remain suspended till Friday, March 6. The US mission announced the decision in a notice to applicants and suspended routine visa services during this period.
Officials did not disclose specific details about the security threats, but confirmed that affected applicants would receive instructions on rescheduling their appointments. In a post on X, the embassy stated that the cancellations apply to all scheduled visa services until March 6. Meanwhile, it urged applicants to monitor official channels for timely updates and further guidance.
Security Alerts Prompt Broader Suspension
Earlier, the US Mission cancelled all visa and American Citizen Services appointments scheduled for March 2 at its facilities in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. In a security alert issued on March 1, officials said they were monitoring reports of demonstrations outside the US Consulate General in Lahore and protests near the US Consulate General in Karachi.
Additionally, the alert referenced calls for further demonstrations at the embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Peshawar. As a precaution, authorities directed US government personnel to restrict their movements until further notice. The mission also advised US citizens to follow local news, avoid large gatherings, and update their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program registration.
Protests Escalate Across Major Cities
Protests erupted nationwide on Sunday following US and Israeli strikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. Authorities imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and blocked routes to the Red Zone.
About 10 protesters have been killed in Karachi during protests over the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
