US to close Peshawar consulate—What’s behind the sudden move?

“The U.S. Department of State is announcing the phased closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar,” the department said in a statement.

Following the closure, responsibility for diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

“This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic personnel and efficient resource management,” the statement added.

The department emphasized that the move would not alter its broader policy objectives in Pakistan. “While our physical presence in Peshawar is changing, the Administration’s policy priorities in Pakistan remain steadfast,” it said.

“We will continue to engage meaningfully with the people and officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to foster economic ties, promote regional security, and advance the interests of the American people,” the statement noted.

Through the U.S. Mission to Pakistan, Washington said it remains committed to strengthening bilateral ties via its remaining diplomatic posts in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.

The development comes against the backdrop of unrest in Pakistan following Israeli-US strikes on Iran on March 1, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to local media reports, at least nine people were killed in clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi during the unrest.