US Tells Non-Emergency Consulate Staff to Leave Pakistan

A truck blocking the road leading to the US Consulate following demonstrations in Karachi, on March 2.
Photographer: Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Images

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By Bilal Hussain and Tooba Khan

March 4, 2026 at 8:28 AM UTC

Updated on

March 4, 2026 at 2:45 PM UTC

The US ordered its non-emergency staff and their family members working at its consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan, citing the risk of terrorist attacks after deadly protests erupted following the killing of Iran’s top leader.

“Violent extremist groups have carried out attacks in Pakistan,” according to a travel advisory by the US embassy in Islamabad. The embassy added there was “no change of status” for the staff based in the capital.