The Department of State has suspended visa services at the Consulates in Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. American citizen services will continue to operate at these Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is open for all services, including visa services. However, from time to time, the missions in Pakistan may temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture. The suspension of visa services at these Consulates appears open-ended. AILA is closely tracking this situation and will provide regular updates.

The Department’s notice was given in the scope of a travel warning issued to urge American citizens to defer travel to Pakistan. According to the Department, the March 17 attack on worshippers at the Protestant International Church in Islamabad and the kidnapping and brutal murder of journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi earlier this year underscore the possibility that terrorists may seek civilian targets. As a result of these concerns, the Department has approved the authorized (voluntary) departure of eligible family members of Embassy and Consulate personnel in Pakistan.

The full text of the Department’s announcement can be found at:

http://travel.state.gov/pakistan_warning.html