Security alert cites violent protests in Karachi, demonstrations in Lahore, calls for demonstrations in Islamabad, Peshawar
A motorcycle burns after being set on fire by unidentified men near the US consulate during a protest against the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Israeli-US airstrikes on the Islamic Republic. Photo: PPI
The United States has canceled all visa and American Citizen Services appointments for Monday, March 2 at its embassy in Islamabad and consulates general in Karachi and Lahore following protests and security concerns in several Pakistani cities.
UPDATE: All appointments for US visas and US citizen services have been canceled today, March 2 at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore. For more info:
— US Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) March 2, 2026
In a security alert issued on March 1, the US mission in Pakistan said it was monitoring ongoing demonstrations at the consulates in Lahore and Karachi, as well as calling for further protests outside the US embassy in Islamabad and the consulate in Peshawar. It said US government personnel had been asked to limit their movements until further notice.
The alert also advised US citizens in Pakistan to follow local news coverage, avoid large crowds, remain aware of their surroundings and make sure their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program registration was up to date. The mission said appointments for March 2 had been canceled due to protest activity around the diplomatic sites in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Read: 51 Pakistanis return from Iran amid war
The warning comes after protests erupted across Pakistan in the wake of the US killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a strike at his home while he was with his family. At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes nationwide, including 10 outside the US consulate in Karachi, 11 in Skardu and two in Islamabad.
In Karachi, protesters gathered outside the US consulate, where witnesses reported gunfire and police firing tear gas after demonstrators protested outside the main gate and tried to break into the premises.
Read more: Protests erupt outside the US consulate in Lahore
In Lahore, hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate and minor clashes broke out as officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd. In Islamabad, protesters attempted to march on the US embassy despite heavy security and roadblocks around the diplomatic enclave.
Authorities in Punjab and Islamabad later imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings and rallies, as officials tried to contain the unrest.
