US Permanently Closes Consulate in Peshawar, Transfers Duties to Islamabad Embassy
The United States has permanently closed its consulate in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and transferred all its responsibilities to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unit at the US Embassy in Islamabad. This move is part of a structural review of the United States’ diplomatic missions.
In a statement issued by the US Consulate in Peshawar, it was announced that information regarding ongoing diplomatic efforts, including programs to strengthen trade and economic relations, security cooperation, and expanding engagement with the residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other regions of Pakistan, will now be available through the official website of the US Embassy in Pakistan.
Reports indicate that this decision aligns with policies under President Donald Trump’s administration aimed at reducing costs and downsizing federal agencies, a policy that also affects several other US foreign missions.
In a separate development, France has also announced the permanent closure of its consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. French officials cited budgetary constraints and the implementation of a global presence reduction policy as reasons for the decision.
Peshawar and Karachi are among Pakistan’s major cities, where the presence of foreign missions typically revolves around economic cooperation, security partnerships, and consular services for citizens and businesses.
