US announces phased closure of consulate general in Peshawar

ISLAMABAD: The US Department of State has announced the phased closure of its Consulate General in Peshawar, saying the move reflects a commitment to the safety of diplomatic staff and better management of resources.

In an official statement, the State Department said responsibility for diplomatic engagement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad as part of the change.

The department said the decision reflects a commitment to ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and improving resource management. It also said the change in physical presence in Peshawar would not alter Washington’s broader approach towards Pakistan.

The statement said the United States would continue its engagement with officials and communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a focus on economic links, regional security and shared interests.

Diplomatic work to continue through other missions

The State Department said the US Mission to Pakistan would continue carrying out diplomatic work through its remaining posts in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

According to the official statement, the closure of the Peshawar consulate is being implemented in phases, while the mission’s wider diplomatic engagement in Pakistan will continue through the other three posts. "The Department, through the US Mission to Pakistan, remains dedicated to advancing the US-Pakistan relationship through our remaining diplomatic posts in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore."

The announcement also underlined that US policy priorities in Pakistan remain unchanged despite the closure of the consulate in Peshawar. The State Department reiterated that it would maintain contact with people and officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa even after diplomatic responsibilities for the province are shifted to the embassy in Islamabad.

The statement did not indicate any change in the United States’ stated objectives in Pakistan, and instead emphasised continuity in engagement through the embassy and the consulates that will remain operational in Karachi and Lahore.

The phased closure marks a structural change in how the United States will manage its diplomatic outreach in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the embassy in Islamabad taking over that role under the arrangement announced by the State Department.