Violent protests linked to the Iran conflict and the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have disrupted US diplomatic operations across Pakistan, forcing the temporary closure of the American consulate in Peshawar and suspending visa and citizen services in other major cities.
The US mission in Pakistan said the Consulate General in Peshawar suspended operations from 2 March, while appointments at the Karachi and Lahore consulates were cancelled due to ongoing demonstrations, road blockages and security restrictions around US offices.
Protests spread across Pakistan on Sunday after the United States and Israel confirmed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with over 35 people reported dead and dozens injured nationwide.
CONSULAR SERVICES HIT IN MULTIPLE CITIES
“Effective March 2, the US Consulate General in Peshawar has temporarily suspended operations,” the mission said in a Level 3 security alert. It added that traffic diversions and disruptions around the Karachi and Lahore consulates had forced cancellation of all visa and American Citizen Services appointments on 3 March.
The US Embassy in Islamabad remains open and “will continue to provide all routine or emergency consular services for US citizens,” the alert said. Embassy officials said normal consular operations in Islamabad are expected to continue from Tuesday.
The mission also said movements of US government personnel across Pakistan have been restricted as a precaution during the protests.
Amid the escalating tensions, the US urged its citizens in Pakistan to stay alert and avoid demonstrations. The advisory told US nationals to keep a low profile, carry identification and follow instructions from local authorities.
US CONSULATE STORMED IN KARACHI
In Karachi, protesters attempted to storm the US Consulate, breaching the outer perimeter and clashing with security forces. Guards opened fire as crowds surged toward the compound, leaving at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, according to local media.
Pakistan imposed a three-day curfew in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu and deployed troops after unrest left at least 12 people dead and 80 injured in Gilgit-Baltistan police said.
Officials said protesters set fire to a police station in Gilgit and damaged a school and a local charity office during the violence.
In Skardu, thousands of demonstrators attacked the offices of the UN Military Observer Group, which monitors the Kashmir ceasefire line, as well as a UN Development Programme facility, authorities said.
Pakistan, a Sunni-majority country of more than 250 million people, has a significant Shia minority of over 20 percent, with communities spread across several regions. The protests reflect strong sectarian solidarity with Iran following Khamenei’s killing in US-Israeli strikes. Protests continued across Pakistan on Monday.
With inputs from agencies
