The US Consulate General in Peshawar temporarily suspended operations starting Monday after protests and security concerns in several Pakistani cities, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, the United States also canceled all visa appointments and services for American citizens at its embassy in Islamabad and consulates general in Karachi and Lahore for Monday, March 2.
The mission said appointments for March 2 were canceled due to protest activity around diplomatic sites in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
In a security alert issued on March 1, the US mission in Pakistan said it was monitoring ongoing demonstrations at the consulates in Lahore and Karachi, as well as calls for new protests outside the US embassy in Islamabad and the consulate in Peshawar.
He said U.S. government personnel were ordered to restrict their movements until further notice.
The alert also advises U.S. citizens in Pakistan to follow local news coverage, avoid large crowds, be aware of their surroundings and ensure their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program registration is up to date.
The warning comes after protests broke out across Pakistan following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack on his home while he was with his family.
At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes across the country, including 10 outside the US consulate in Karachi, 11 in Skardu and two in Islamabad.
In Karachi, protesters gathered outside the US consulate, where witnesses reported gunshots.
In Lahore, hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate and smaller clashes broke out when officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
In Islamabad, protesters attempted to march on the US embassy, despite heavy security and roadblocks around the diplomatic enclave.
Authorities in Punjab and Islamabad subsequently imposed Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings and rallies, as officials attempted to contain the unrest.
In Karachi, key roads remained closed to traffic for the second consecutive day on Monday for security reasons. According to the traffic police, all routes leading to the US consulate have been closed for security reasons.
WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM REUTERS
