German Consulate in Karachi suspends visa services

KARACHI: The German consulate, in Karachi, has suspended its services for people who are not European Union (EU) citizens, the consulate said, citing “security concerns.”

This decision was communicated through a statement released on the consulate’s social media platforms.

The development comes amid a renewed wave of militant violence in the South Asian country, including attacks on foreign nationals and police officials in Karachi.

 “Due to imminent security concerns the Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany will remain closed for services of non-EU-citizens until further notice,” the German consulate said in a statement. “Already issued visa for non-EU-citizens can be picked up.”

Sindh govt imposes stamp duty on domestic, international air tickets

The German Consulate Karachi has not provided specific details about the security issues prompting this decision, nor has it offered a timeline for when services might resume.

“We regret the inconvenience caused and urge affected individuals to stay updated through our official communication channels,” the statement read.

The sudden closure has left many Pakistani citizens, including students, business travellers, and tourists, uncertain about their travel plans and visa applications.

Germany is one of the top destinations for international students, including those from Pakistan.

The EU country recently launched an Opportunity Card to entice skilled workers from outside the bloc to come to the country and seek work for up to a year if they fulfil the right criteria.

According to the Facebook groups, several people from Pakistan have filed for visa interviews and waiting for appointments.