The United States Embassy in Islamabad and its Consulates General in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar have temporarily suspended all routine visa and American Citizen Services (ACS), cancelling appointments for March 2, 2026, and warning that services will remain on hold at least through March 6 due to intensified security concerns across Pakistan. The U.S. Mission said it was monitoring ongoing demonstrations outside its diplomatic facilities in Lahore and Karachi and that there were calls for additional protests near the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Peshawar mission, prompting U.S. personnel to be ordered to restrict their movements. The suspension affects visa interviews, passport processing and other consular assistance; applicants are being advised to monitor official Embassy announcements for rescheduling instructions, but no firm date for normal operations has been given.
The diplomatic pause comes amid nationwide unrest triggered by protests against U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, which have spilled into violent clashes near American missions and elsewhere, leading to multiple deaths and injuries in cities including Karachi and Lahore. Eyewitness and official accounts describe protesters attempting to breach consulate compounds, with security forces responding with tear gas and other measures. Pakistani authorities have also imposed restrictions on public gatherings, including Section 144 in parts of Punjab, as they seek to stem wider disorder, while U.S. citizens in Pakistan have been urged to stay aware of local conditions and avoid large crowds. The unprecedented suspension of consular services underscores how regional geopolitical tensions and public outrage can disrupt routine diplomatic functions and deepen uncertainty for travelers, students and families waiting for U.S. visas.