ISLAMABAD: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and its Consulates in Lahore and Karachi have suspended all visa appointments through March 6 due to the worsening security situation in Pakistan. The decision follows a violent outbreak over the weekend, during which U.S. Marines at the Karachi consulate opened fire, resulting in the deaths of ten people.

People across Pakistan were mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28, 2026, during coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Tehran.

The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei sparked widespread protests across the country, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In the ensuing chaos, reports indicate that police and security personnel opened fire, killing at least seven individuals in Gilgit, four in Skardu, three in Islamabad, and ten more in Karachi, intensifying public outrage and fear.

The US Embassy in Islamabad turned to X (formerly Twitter), saying it was cancelling all visa appointments through Friday, March 6 owing to ‘current security situation’.

Due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6.

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) March 3, 2026