Anatolia Visa Centre Firing Injures Applicant, Jinnah Avenue Protest Erupts
Police reached the scene after an altercation involving applicants and security personnel at a visa application centre in Islamabad’s Blue Area reportedly escalated into gunfire, leaving one applicant injured and prompting a protest.
ISLAMABAD: An applicant was reportedly injured in a firing incident following an altercation involving security personnel and applicants at the Anatolia Travel Services visa application centre in Islamabad’s Blue Area on Thursday, according to preliminary information available to Islamabad Tribune.
The Incident
The incident occurred at the Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower, where Anatolia Travel Services operates its Islamabad visa application centre. Photographs from the scene show groups of people gathering outside the building and along the adjoining road, while vehicles can be seen slowing or stopping in the vicinity.
According to initial accounts shared with Islamabad Tribune, an altercation broke out between some applicants and security guards at the premises. During the confrontation, a security guard allegedly opened fire, injuring an applicant.
The circumstances that triggered the altercation, the identity and condition of the injured person, and the exact sequence leading to the reported gunfire could not immediately be independently verified.
Protest and Police Response
Following the incident, a number of applicants gathered outside the premises in protest. Islamabad Police personnel were reported to have reached the location as authorities moved to bring the situation under control and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The photographs available from the scene show a sizeable gathering near the roadside and people moving around the area, while traffic continued on the main Jinnah Avenue corridor.
About Anatolia Travel Services
Anatolia Travel Services’ official website confirms that its Islamabad Visa Application Center operates from Offices 203, 206 and 207 on the second floor of the Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower in Blue Area. The Turkish Embassy in Islamabad has previously identified the company as the authorised service provider for receiving Türkiye visa applications in Pakistan.
Awaiting Official Statement
Police were present at the scene, while further official information was awaited at the time of filing this report. Islamabad Tribune will update the story when Islamabad Police, Anatolia Travel Services or other relevant authorities issue an official account of the incident.
