The United States Department of State has announced plans to permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, according to a report by The Independent on Thursday.
The diplomatic mission, located near the Afghan border, has historically served as the closest US consulate to Afghanistan and played a key logistical role during the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
According to the report, the State Department formally notified the United States Congress about the decision. Officials said closing the mission would save approximately $7.5 million annually while continuing to support American national interests in Pakistan.
A copy of the notification was obtained by The Associated Press. Authorities stressed that the move had been under review for more than a year as part of a broader effort by the administration of Donald Trump to reduce the size of federal agencies. Officials also clarified that the decision is unrelated to the ongoing Iran conflict.
Services to shift to the Islamabad embassy
Under the plan, the State Department will spend about $3 million to complete the closure process. More than half of that amount will cover the relocation of armoured trailers that previously served as temporary office facilities.
The remaining funds will finance the transfer of equipment, furniture and vehicles from the consulate’s motor pool to the US diplomatic missions in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
The notification stated that the consulate had long functioned as a major transit point for overland travel into Afghanistan and assisted American citizens in northwestern Pakistan as well as Afghan nationals seeking US support.
However, once the facility closes, all consular services will shift to the US embassy in Islamabad, roughly 184 kilometres away.
