The US State Department has informed Congress of its decision to permanently close the American consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan—historically the country’s closest diplomatic outpost to the Afghan border.
The closure, part of a broader reorganization and downsizing initiative under the Trump administration, is expected to save around $7.5 million annually, though one-time shutdown and relocation costs are estimated at $3 million.
Consular services for American citizens, as well as visa processing, will be transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad. The move marks the first complete closure of an overseas US diplomatic mission under this restructuring plan.
The Peshawar post was originally established in 1958 and upgraded to a Consulate General in 2010, playing a key role in US-Afghanistan-Pakistan regional engagement over decades. Officials emphasized that the consolidation aims to streamline operations while maintaining essential diplomatic and consular functions for Americans in the region.
