US Consulates Pakistan Closed Temporarily

As of March 17, 2011, the US Consulates Pakistan will be temporarily closed. The US Department of State (DOS) alerts US citizens of the possibility of violent protests and demonstrations in major cities of Pakistan, specifically near US Consulates General in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and the US Embassy Islamabad. Spontaneous protests in reaction to the recent release into US government custody of a US diplomat could erupt at any time at locations perceived as Western, including restaurants and areas where foreigners are known to congregate, and these protests may turn violent.

The US Embassy Islamabad remains open, but all Consulates General in Pakistan will be closed until further notice, except for emergency American Citizens Services.  The US Embassy Islamabad will issue an updated Warden Message when the US Consulates General in Pakistan reopen for routine business.

The US Embassy Islamabad reiterates its advice to all US citizens to take measures for their safety and security at all times. These include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, and keeping a low profile. US citizens should avoid setting patterns by varying times and routes for all required travel. US citizens should ensure that their travel documents and visas are valid at all times. In addition, over the next several days, US citizens should avoid areas where foreigners are known to congregate.

For the latest security information, US citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning for Pakistan, and Country-Specific Information for Pakistan can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the US and Canada or, for callers outside the US and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except US federal holidays).

In addition, US citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Contact information follows for all four US consular posts in Pakistan:

The US Embassy Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632; http://islamabad.usembassy.gov; acs_islamabad@state.gov; Twitter: http://twitter.com/ACSIslamabad; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IslamabadACS.

US Consulate General Karachi, Plot No 3-5, TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, provides service to US citizens by appointment only. US citizen services can be scheduled by calling (92-21) 3527-5000 between 10 am and 2 pm, Monday-Friday; fax (92-21) 3527-5885;  http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/ ; ACSKarachi@state.gov.

US Consulate General Lahore, 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, provides service to US citizens by appointment only. US citizens requiring assistance should call the consular section in Lahore. Tel (92-42) 3603-4000; fax (92-42) 3603-4200; http://lahore.usconsulate.gov/; acslahore@state.gov.

US Consulate General Peshawar, 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; tel (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712; http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov.