U.S. Closes Peshawar Consulate, Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR / ISLAMABAD: The United States has officially marked the closure of its Consulate General in Peshawar while reaffirming that its partnership with the people and government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will continue through the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker visited U.S. Consulate General Peshawar, where she met with Consul General Tom Eckert and members of the consulate team to commemorate the enduring U.S.-Pakistan partnership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and recognize the dedicated service of American and Pakistani staff who served at the mission.

During the visit, CDA Baker emphasized that the closure of the consulate does not signal a reduction in U.S. engagement with the province. She reaffirmed that the United States remains firmly committed to strengthening its partnership with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and supporting continued cooperation across a range of shared interests.

Under the new diplomatic arrangement, responsibility for engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be transferred to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Unit (KPU) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. The transition is intended to ensure uninterrupted diplomatic outreach and sustained cooperation with provincial authorities, institutions, and communities.

The visit also served as a tribute to the longstanding work of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar, which played a significant role in promoting bilateral cooperation, development initiatives, educational exchanges, cultural ties, and people-to-people engagement in the province.

The United States reiterated that, despite the closure of the consulate, its commitment to fostering strong relations with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains steadfast, with future diplomatic engagement continuing through the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.