Malik Waqar Ahmed

ISLAMABAD: The US Embassy in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Pakistan Football Federation, hosted a special kick‑off event at the embassy to mark the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and to spotlight the cultural and economic ties the global tournament creates.&nbsp;The highlight of the launch ceremony was the unveiling of an oversized football produced by a manufacturing company based in Sialkot, according to a statement from the US embassy in Islamabad.&nbsp;&nbsp;Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie Baker and PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed chief guest Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi and Chairman of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, according to the statement. <figure id="isPasted"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2d947498-c9fb-476a-a5f4-b95acad2b6da-55279548397_f8fe624062_c.jpg" alt="55279548397_f8fe624062_c.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>(L-R) Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, US Embassy Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie Baker, PM Youth Programme Chairman</figcaption><figcaption>Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, and Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani during the FIFA World Cup 2026</figcaption><figcaption>countdown launch at the US Embassy in Islamabad, May 19, 2026. (Photo: US Embassy in Pakistan)</figcaption></figure> PFF President Gilani said that the Pakistan national team might not have qualified for the World Cup, but there is a wave of excitement in the country for the first-ever 48-team event in North America. <figure id="isPasted"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/f34e7af5-064d-4e32-877e-3574b8cc740d-55280693544_1792732c49_c.jpg" alt="55280693544_1792732c49_c.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>(L-R) Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani, Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, US Embassy</figcaption><figcaption>Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie Baker, and PM Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan unveil the giant football at the</figcaption><figcaption>US Embassy in Islamabad, May 19, 2026. (Photo: US Embassy in Pakistan)</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;Gilani told Pakistan TV Digital that the event sent a message about the strong partnership between the Pakistan Football Federation and the US Embassy, highlighting the close relationship with the United States.&nbsp;He said that as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico, Pakistan is very excited to be part of the tournament, reflecting the strong collaboration between the two nations.&nbsp;Natalie Baker said that such events will leave a legacy of stronger economies and deeper cultural connections. She added that the embassy looks forward to sharing those experiences with friends and partners in Pakistan. <figure id="isPasted"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/f42ae142-259a-47cb-bda1-4704da5248ee-55280866545_5d89bf3c3e_c.jpg" alt="55280866545_5d89bf3c3e_c.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>US Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie Baker addressing the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown launch at the US Embassy in Islamabad,&nbsp;</figcaption><figcaption>May 19, 2026. (Photo: US Embassy in Pakistan)</figcaption></figure> &ldquo;It&#39;s the first World Cup launch event to happen in Pakistan, and it kicks off our 250th anniversary celebrations for the United States. In 23 days, we&#39;re going to celebrate the World Cup across 16 cities,&rdquo; Baker told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp; While speaking with Pakistan TV Digital, she said this will be the biggest World Cup ever. She added that it was very exciting that, right here in Pakistan, at the US Embassy, they&#39;re able to partner with the Pakistan Football Federation to launch the event. Mohsen Gilani expressed his best wishes to the United States in its bid to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women&rsquo;s World Cup in partnership with Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. The program concluded with a ceremonial gift exchange and recognition of two female Pakistan national football players, after which guests were invited to participate in an informal penalty-kick challenge on the field.

(L-R) Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, PM Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, and Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani during the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown launch a

Football

The US Embassy and Pakistan Football Federation launched Pakistan’s first FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown event in Islamabad, unveiling a Sialkot-made football and highlighting stronger US-Pakistan cultural ties, economic cooperation, and excitement for football’s biggest-ever tournament.

US Embassy, Pakistan Football Federation kick off countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026

Web Desk

WASHINGTON: The US State Department said on Wednesday it had ordered non-emergency personnel from US consulates in Karachi and Lahore, along with their families, to leave Pakistan due to security concerns.&nbsp;&quot;The Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and the family members of US government personnel from US Consulates Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan due to safety risks,&quot; the US embassy in Pakistan said in a statement.&nbsp;It said there was no change to the status of its embassy in the capital, Islamabad.&nbsp;On Tuesday, the US extended the closure of visa services at its embassies and consulates across Pakistan until Friday, March 6, citing the current security situation following nationwide protests.&nbsp;The suspension comes after demonstrations erupted in several cities over the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei during Israeli and American attacks in Iran.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-cancels-all-visa-citizen-services-appointments-in-pakistan" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Embassy in Islamabad</a> confirmed that all visa appointments have been canceled until March 6 due to security concerns.&nbsp;Visa services have also been suspended at US consulates in Lahore and Karachi. According to the embassy, all scheduled appointments have been cancelled until further notice, with fresh dates to be communicated soon.&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

The development comes after demonstrations erupted in several cities over the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei during US-Israeli attacks in Iran.

US orders non-emergency consular staff in Karachi, Lahore to leave Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States has canceled all visa and American citizen services appointments scheduled for Tuesday, according to an official statement.&nbsp;&ldquo;Due to protest activity around the US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore, and the US Embassy in Islamabad, all appointments for US visas and American Citizen Services are canceled for tomorrow, March 2,&rdquo; the US Embassy said in a statement.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 438px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2028326669241794713&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=06c3caf29ca8b12712ae2f0851d9ce12a182c089&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The decision follows the reports of demonstrations outside the US Consulate General Lahore, while violent protests were reported near the US Consulate General Karachi.&nbsp;Officials said they are also monitoring calls for gatherings near the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-israel-strikes-iran-live-updates" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Embassy</a>&nbsp;Islamabad and the US Consulate General Peshawar.&nbsp;US government personnel in Pakistan have been advised to limit their movements as a precaution.&nbsp;US citizens have been advised to avoid large gatherings, follow local media for updates, and carry identification.

The decision follows the reports of demonstrations outside the US Consulate General Lahore, while violent protests were reported near the US Consulate General Karachi.

US cancels all visa, citizen services appointments in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States strongly condemns the Jan. 31 attacks and acts of terrorist violence against security personnel and civilians in Balochistan, claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army -- a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization -- according to a post on X shared by the US embassy in Islamabad on Sunday. &ldquo;On behalf of the United States, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims of terrorism, their families, and all those affected,&rdquo; US Charge d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie Baker said in the post shared by the embassy on X.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2017806415675396139&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=2cb4db0916aee510872ef08fb588a1cae4e23768&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;The Pakistani people deserve to live free from violence and fear.&rdquo; &nbsp; &ldquo;The United States remains a steadfast partner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-pm-lauds-security-forces-for-foiling-attacks-killing-terrorists" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;in its efforts to ensure peace and stability. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time,&rdquo; she said. 133 Indian-backed terrorists killed&nbsp;Pakistani security forces have killed 133&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-reaffirms-resolve-after-security-forces-kill-108-indianbacked-terrorists" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Indian-backed terrorists</a>&nbsp;in operations across southwestern Balochistan over the past two days, officials said Saturday, successfully thwarting attacks targeting civilians, urban centers, and key infrastructure.

Security

Pakistani security forces have killed 133 Indian-backed terrorists in operations across southwestern Balochistan over the past two days, officials said Saturday, successfully thwarting attacks targeting civilians, urban centers, and key infrastructure.

Articles tagged with "US Embassy Islamabad"

US Embassy, Pakistan Football Federation kick off countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026

US orders non-emergency consular staff in Karachi, Lahore to leave Pakistan

US cancels all visa, citizen services appointments in Pakistan

US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker condemns terrorist attacks in Balochistan

US Embassy, Pakistan Football Federation kick off countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026