U.S. Curtails Consular Operations in Pakistan
Posted Apr 12, 2002

On March 22, 2002, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a Travel Warning for Pakistan. U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world monitor the situations in their host countries. When they are of the opinion that U.S. citizens may be in danger, DOS issues a Travel Warning urging U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the particular country. Such warnings also advise U.S. citizens residing in that country to exercise caution. In addition to the issuance of visas to foreign nationals, another important function of U.S. Consulates is to assist U.S. citizens.

The March 22, 2002 DOS Warning superseded another that had just been issued four days earlier. In the latest Warning, DOS announced that non-emergency Consulate and Embassy personnel as well as family members would be ordered back to the U.S. for their own safety. Citing recent terrorist incidents against Americans, including the March 17, 2002 church bombing in Islamabad and the murder of a prominent U.S. journalist in Karachi, DOS urged extreme caution. Such occurrences raise the "growing possibility that as security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek less well-protected targets. These may include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit…." The Warning advises U.S. citizens to postpone any planned trips to Pakistan.

With the departure of Embassy and Consulate staff, much of the operations at these posts will shut down. Some American citizen services will still be available, but it appears that visa services will not be. U.S. Consulates at Karachi and Lahore suspended visa operations in 1997 and both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa issuance was consolidated at Islamabad. DOS also recommends that U.S. citizens in Pakistan register with the nearest U.S. Consulate and obtain regular security updates.