US Diplomats Evacuated from Pakistan Amid Pro-Iran Protests and Fuel Shortages

The United States has ordered non-emergency staff and their families to leave its consulates in Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan, due to safety risks stemming from protests related to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. This move comes as Pakistan faces internal challenges, including fuel shortages and economic austerity measures.

Protests and Diplomatic Evacuations

The State Department issued the order on Wednesday, March 5, 2026, citing “safety risks” as the reason for the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the Lahore and Karachi consulates South China Morning Post. The US embassy in Islamabad confirmed that the embassy itself would remain open with no changes to its operational status.

The decision follows weekend protests in Pakistan against US-Israeli strikes on Iran, during which demonstrators attempted to storm the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city. Reports indicate that US Marines opened fire on protesters during the attempted storming of the Karachi consulate, a rare occurrence that could escalate tensions within the country South China Morning Post. It remains unclear if any protesters were struck by the gunfire.

Similar evacuations have been authorized for US staff in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Oman as Iran retaliates over US-Israeli raids South China Morning Post.

Fuel Shortages Disrupt Pakistan

Adding to the instability, Pakistan is experiencing fuel shortages, with tanker drivers reporting long waits at depots due to a lack of petrol. One tanker driver, Abdul Shakoor, stated that a depot near Lahore had been without petrol for four days, attributing the issue to Iran closing its border Reuters.

The country relies heavily on oil and gas imports from the Gulf region, and the government has provided naval escorts to vessels transporting fuel to ensure continued supplies during the Middle East crisis Reuters.

The government recently increased fuel prices by approximately 20 percent, leading to long lines and panic buying at filling stations nationwide. Although, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik indicated that there would be “no immediate significant changes” in fuel costs Reuters.

Austerity Measures Implemented

In response to the economic pressures, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced an austerity plan on Monday, including a reduction of the work week for government employees to four days and the closure of schools, in an effort to conserve fuel Reuters. Despite these measures, reports from tanker drivers’ assistants, such as Mazhar Mahmood, indicate that fuel remains unavailable at depots, with expectations of replenishment in five to six days.

Looking Ahead

Pakistan finds itself navigating a complex situation, balancing its relationships with both the United States and Iran while grappling with internal economic and security challenges. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resulting disruptions to global oil supplies pose significant risks to Pakistan’s stability.