US to close consulate in Pakistan's Peshawar

PESHAWAR  - The United States will close ​its ​consulate in Pakistan's Peshawar, citing the safety of its diplomats, the State Department said in a statement published ⁠on Tuesday.
The U.S. embassy in ⁠Islamabad will handle all diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where ‌Peshawar is the capital, ​the State ⁠Department said.
'This decision ​reflects our commitment to ‌the safety of our diplomatic personnel ​and efficient resource management,' the statement said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders Afghanistan, and has seen attacks and fierce fighting ‌between Pakistan forces and what ​Islamabad says are Afghan-backed militants.
Ten ​people ‌were killed ⁠in March when protesters breached the outer wall of ​the U.S. consulate in ⁠Karachi, ​Pakistan's biggest city, after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes on ​Iran.