The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday it is beginning a phased closure of American Consulate General in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, citing the safety of personnel and the need for a more efficient use of resources.
The department said in a statement that diplomatic responsibilities for Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province will be transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad.
“This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic personnel and efficient resource management.
The @StateDept has announced the phased closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar. As we transition to a new chapter, with the U.S. Consulate General’s operations shifting to @USEmbIslamabad, we will continue our important diplomatic work in partnership with the people…
— Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) (@State_SCA) May 6, 2026
“While our physical presence in Peshawar is changing, the Administration’s policy priorities in Pakistan remain steadfast,” it said.
U.S. officials will continue outreach to local leaders and communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the department said.
The U.S. will continue its diplomatic presence in Pakistan through existing missions in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore as part of broader effort to sustain the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.
