The State Department cites cost savings and operational efficiencies; services will move to Islamabad
The United States Department of State has decided to permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, the closest American diplomatic mission to the Afghan border.
the independent reported that the Peshawar consulate has served as the main logistics and operations center before, during and after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.
The State Department notified Congress of its intention to close the consulate, estimating an annual savings of $7.5 million. According to the notification, the closure will not adversely affect the United States’ ability to advance national interests in Pakistan. The decision has been under consideration for more than a year and is unrelated to the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has sparked protests in Pakistani cities, including Karachi, where U.S. consulate operations have been temporarily suspended.
Read: The conflict between the United States and Iran: not just the optics
The joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, launched on February 28, sparked protests in several cities and forced the US consulate in Karachi to suspend operations following an incident that left 11 dead.
The Peshawar consulate employs 18 American diplomats and staff and 89 local staff. The closure will cost approximately $3 million, of which $1.8 million will be allocated to relocating armored trailers that served as temporary office space. The remaining funds will cover the transfer of the consulate’s fleet of vehicles, electronic and telecommunications equipment, and office furniture to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the consulates in Karachi and Lahore.
Due to its proximity to Kabul and the Afghan border, the consulate had been a key facility for overland travel to Afghanistan and to assist American citizens in northwestern Pakistan, as well as Afghan citizens seeking American support.
After the closure, consular services will be handled by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, approximately 184 kilometers (114 miles) away.
Read more: The US consulate in Peshawar suspends operations
The State Department said: “The closure would not adversely affect the mission’s ability to advance core U.S. national interests, assist American citizens, or conduct adequate oversight of foreign assistance programs because all of those functions would continue to be performed by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.” the independent reported.
The decision reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to streamline overseas operations and reduce costs while maintaining diplomatic and consular coverage in key regions.
Earlier this month, the US State Department ordered non-essential staff and their families at its consulates in Karachi and Lahore to leave Pakistan over security concerns stemming from the protests. Later, the US mission also announced a temporary suspension of operations at its Peshawar consulate.
