US to close consulate in Peshawar

PESHAWAR:

The United States will close its consulate in Peshawar, citing the safety of its diplomats, the State Department said in a statement published on Tuesday.

The US embassy in Islamabad will handle all diplomatic engagement with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the State Department said.

"This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic personnel and efficient resource management," the statement said.

Ten people were killed in March when protesters breached the outer wall of the US consulate in Karachi, after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes on Iran.