ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR (HRNW): The United States government has officially notified Congress of its decision to permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, the diplomatic mission closest to the Afghan border. The move comes as part of a broader diplomatic restructuring and cost-saving initiative, expected to save the U.S. approximately $7.5 million annually.
Historically, the Peshawar consulate served as a strategic hub for logistics and operations, especially during and after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. However, the U.S. State Department clarified that its closure—which has been under consideration for over a year—will not adversely affect the mission’s ability to oversee foreign assistance programs or assist American citizens, as these functions will be consolidated at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
The closure process is estimated to cost around $3 million, which includes relocating armored trailers, motor pool fleets, and specialized equipment to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. While the decision coincides with heightened regional tensions, officials have emphasized that the shutdown is strictly a budgetary and administrative move and is unrelated to current geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
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