ISLAMABAD: The United States Embassy in Islamabad and its consulates in Karachi and Lahore have cancelled all scheduled appointments for visa processing and American Citizen Services on March 2, citing heightened security concerns stemming from widespread violent protests across Pakistan.
The announcement came via an official post on the X platform from the US Embassy Islamabad account, confirming the suspension for the day at all affected diplomatic posts. This measure follows intense demonstrations that erupted on March 1 after reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in coordinated US-Israeli air strikes on Tehran.
Protests, largely driven by Pakistan’s Shia Muslim communities expressing solidarity with Iran, quickly turned violent in several cities. Demonstrators targeted symbols of US presence, leading to clashes with security forces that resulted in significant casualties.
In Karachi, hundreds of protesters stormed the US Consulate General, breaching outer walls, smashing windows, and attempting to set parts of the building ablaze. Security personnel responded with tear gas, batons, and live fire, leading to at least 10 deaths and over 50 injuries in the port city alone, according to local police and hospital officials.
The violence extended to northern regions, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan, where Shia-majority populations reacted strongly. In Skardu, protesters set fire to a United Nations office and clashed with law enforcement, resulting in 14 deaths, including a soldier, and dozens wounded. Similar incidents occurred in Gilgit, contributing to a regional toll exceeding 20 fatalities.
In the federal capital Islamabad, attempts by protesters to march toward the US Embassy prompted police to deploy tear gas and batons outside the diplomatic enclave. At least two deaths were reported in these confrontations, with additional injuries among demonstrators and security personnel.
Nationwide, the death toll from Sunday’s protests has been reported between 20 and 26, depending on sources, with over 120 people injured. Authorities have responded by deploying troops in sensitive areas and imposing a three-day curfew in Gilgit and Skardu to restore order and prevent further escalation.
A ban on large gatherings has also been enforced across the country to curb additional demonstrations. Pakistani officials have beefed up security around US diplomatic facilities in major cities, including Peshawar, where protests were anticipated but remained relatively peaceful.
The underlying trigger for the unrest traces back to the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, which eliminated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a figure revered among Shia communities worldwide. Pakistan, home to one of the largest Shia populations outside Iran, has seen recurring expressions of anti-US sentiment during regional tensions involving Iran.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as a violation of international law, reflecting the delicate diplomatic balancing act Pakistan maintains between its alliances with the United States and longstanding ties with Iran.
The US Mission to Pakistan issued a security alert on March 1, advising American citizens to avoid large gatherings, monitor local media, and restrict movements. US government personnel were directed to limit their activities until further notice.
The cancellation of visa and consular services disrupts travel plans for numerous Pakistani applicants and American citizens requiring routine assistance. No immediate rescheduling information has been provided, with updates expected via the embassy’s official channels.
This development underscores the broader regional repercussions of the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Protests have also occurred in other countries with significant Shia populations, though Pakistan has experienced some of the most severe violence.
As authorities work to contain the situation, the focus remains on preventing further loss of life and ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and civilians. The suspension of services at US missions highlights the immediate impact of these events on bilateral relations and public access to consular functions.