US Closes Peshawar Consulate in Pakistan

The United States===United States Department of State has announced the permanent closure of its consulate in Pakistan===Peshawar, Pakistan, which served as a critical diplomatic mission near the Afghan border. This decision, under consideration for over a year as part of the Donald Trump administration's efforts to downsize federal agencies, is expected to save $7.5 million annually, despite a $3 million closure cost. The Pakistan===Peshawar consulate, which employed 18 American diplomats and 89 local staff, was a key operations and logistics point for the U.S. in Afghanistan. Consular services for American citizens and oversight of foreign assistance programs will now be handled by the United States Embassy in Pakistan===Islamabad, approximately 184 kilometers away. Equipment and personnel from Pakistan===Peshawar will be relocated to Pakistan===Islamabad and other consulates in Pakistan===Karachi and Pakistan===Lahore. The United States===United States Department of State assures that this move will not adversely affect U.S. national interests in Pakistan, despite protests in Pakistani cities related to the Iran war that had temporarily suspended operations at the Pakistan===Peshawar consulate.