The US Embassy in Islamabad has announced the extension of its visa services suspension until March 20. This suspension also applies to all consular services at the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments have been canceled through March 20, with affected applicants receiving rescheduling instructions via email.
The Embassy has provided a website where applicants can check the status of their appointments. Additionally, all consular services at the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore remain suspended. The US had previously ordered non-emergency government employees and their families from its Consulates in Lahore and Karachi to depart Pakistan due to safety concerns.
Following protests in Pakistan triggered by the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike, the decision was made. The protests resulted in casualties, with at least 23 protesters killed in clashes across Pakistan. Demonstrations outside the US Consulate in Karachi and clashes in Lahore and Islamabad were reported.
