WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of State has decided to permanently shut down its consulate in Peshawar, a key diplomatic mission near the Afghanistan border.
The Peshawar consulate has been considered an important center for operations and logistics before, during, and after the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
According to reports, the closure decision has been under consideration for over a year. Officials emphasized that it is unrelated to the current Iran conflict and is part of the Trump administration’s plan to streamline federal agencies and reduce the diplomatic footprint abroad.
The State Department has informed Congress about the closure this week. The shutdown is expected to save approximately $7.5 million annually, while officials claim it will not negatively impact U.S. national interests in Pakistan.
The Peshawar consulate employs 18 U.S. diplomats and staff along with 89 local employees. Closing the mission will cost around $3 million, primarily for relocating armored trailers, vehicles, electronics, telecommunications equipment, and office supplies to the U.S. embassy in Islamabad and the consulates in Karachi and Lahore.
Following the closure, all U.S. consular services for American citizens and others previously handled in Peshawar will be managed through the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
This marks the first complete overseas closure of a U.S. diplomatic mission under the State Department’s reorganization efforts, which previously involved laying off thousands of staff and reducing USAID personnel.
