Shooting at Karachi’s US consulate: What does international law say? – Pakistan

Violence erupted at the U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 1, 2026, following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in strikes launched by Israel and the US, raising complex legal questions regarding sovereignty, the use of force, and accountability under international law.

The Question of Sovereign Territory

A US consulate in Karachi does not constitute American sovereign territory, remaining fully within Pakistan’s jurisdiction, according to Foreign Affairs and National Security correspondent Baqir Sajjad Syed. This understanding counters a common misconception that embassies or consulates transform into “foreign soil.”

Oves Anwar, Director of the Research Society of International Law, concurred, citing Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 (VCCR), which grants consular premises inviolability. This protection prevents the receiving state authorities from entering consular areas without consent and prohibits intrusion, damage, or disturbance of the mission’s peace.

Anwar noted that official communications are also safeguarded, with diplomatic bags exempt from inspection. He also stated that attacking a diplomatic premise constitutes a terrorist offence under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The Question of When Lethal Force is Authorised

Outside of a war context, law enforcement standards govern the use of lethal force, requiring it to be a measure of last resort, according to Anwar. Ayesha Alam Malik, director of the War Law Institute, clarified that the protests were a law enforcement operation, as they were spontaneous and carried out by unorganized individuals.

Under international human rights law, particularly the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, force must be necessary and proportionate, minimizing damage and respecting human life, Malik stated. She suggested that the reported deaths and injuries – at least 10 killed and over 70 wounded – may indicate a failure to meet these criteria.

Syed explained that US Marine Security Guards operate under Standing Rules of Engagement, mirroring the inherent right of self-defence. Lethal force is permissible only against an immediate threat to life, adhering to the principles of necessity and proportionality. He argued that a breach of the compound does not automatically justify the use of deadly force, especially against unarmed protesters.

Syed added that international law, including the right to life under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), applies regardless of a fence line, and excessive force violates both the law and basic humanity.

The Question of Jurisdiction, Accountability, and Compensation

According to Malik, Article 37(2) and 37(3) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 (VCDR) grant immunity from criminal jurisdiction to administrative, technical, and service staff of a mission. This makes a criminal case against US personnel unlikely, particularly if they claim self-defence.

Anwar reinforced this, explaining that US Marine Security Guards may be classified as technical or administrative staff, enjoying functional immunity for acts performed in their official duties. Even if an FIR were filed, detention would require the US government’s consent.

This situation differs from the Raymond Davis case, where the individual was arrested before immunity claims were resolved. Anwar stated that unless the US surrenders personnel, Pakistani authorities have no practical ability to prosecute.

Anwar noted that the US sometimes enters into Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) with host states, outlining the legal status of US military personnel. It is unclear if such an agreement exists between the US and Pakistan covering Marine Security Guards.

Compensation for loss of life is not guaranteed, though the US may offer it as a diplomatic gesture, or the Pakistani government may compensate victims’ families. There is no legal compulsion requiring either state to do so, Anwar clarified.

Header image: Security forces detain a protester outside the U.S. Consulate General, following news of US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan March 1, 2026. Reuters/Imran Ali