U.S. visa service in Pakistan suspended

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan indefinitely halted issuing visas and stopped other consular services effective Thursday, a spokesman said.

The action comes after Saturday's suicide bomb attack on Islamabad's Marriott Hotel in which at least 53 people died, including the Czech Republic ambassador, two Americans and one Vietnamese national.

"The embassy temporarily suspended routine consular services including visa services beginning today (Thursday)," embassy spokesman Lou Fintor told reporters in Islamabad, Xinhua reported.

"Emergency services to American citizens will continue to be available," he said.

Geo TV said only those visa applicants who had earlier been called for interviews were processed Thursday.

A BBC report said the United States has advised its government personnel against visiting hotels in Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar.