The United States announced on Wednesday that it would phased in its consulate general in Peshawar, citing concerns about the safety of diplomatic staff as well as the need to better allocate resources.The ministry said in a statement: “The US State Department announces the gradual closure of the US Consulate General in Peshawar. Responsibility for diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will transfer to the US Embassy in Islamabad. This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic staff and efficient management of resources.”Even as its physical presence in Peshawar is reduced, Washington said it would continue active engagement with stakeholders in Pakistan.“While our physical presence in Peshawar is changing, the administration’s policy priorities in Pakistan remain constant. We will continue to work meaningfully with the people and officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthen economic relations, strengthen regional security, and advance the interests of the American people,” the statement said.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that its embassy in Islamabad and its consulates in Lahore and Karachi will continue to operate as usual.
The decision comes in the wake of a wave of unrest in Pakistan sparked by the Israeli-US strikes on March 1 that resulted in the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the Dawn News website, at least nine people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and Pakistani security forces near the US Consulate in Karachi.Shortly after, on March 3, the State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave its consulates in Lahore and Karachi due to heightened security concerns.Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran since February 28, the department also warned of potential drone and missile threats from Iran, along with potential disruptions to commercial air travel.The warnings also stressed the risk of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, noting that extremist groups have carried out violence, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Area, while major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad have also witnessed incidents.The US State Department’s previous statement noted, “Terrorists may strike without warning. They target transportation centers, hotels, markets, shopping malls, military and security force sites, airports, trains, schools, hospitals, places of worship, tourist sites, and government buildings.”
