The United States announced on Wednesday that it would phase out the closure of its Consulate General in Peshawar, citing concerns over the safety of diplomatic staff as well as the need for better allocation of resources.“The US State Department is announcing the phased closure of the US Consulate General in Peshawar. Responsibility for diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be transferred to the US Embassy in Islamabad. This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic personnel and efficient resource management,” the department said in a statement.Despite its physical footprint being reduced in Peshawar, Washington said it would continue active engagement with stakeholders Pakistan.“While our physical presence in Peshawar is changing, the administration’s policy priorities in Pakistan remain constant. We will continue to meaningfully engage with the people and authorities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to foster economic ties, advance regional security, and advance the interests of the American people.”The State Department said its embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Karachi would continue to function as usual.The decision comes after a wave of unrest in Pakistan triggered by the Israeli-American attacks on March 1 that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. At least nine people were killed in clashes between protesters and Pakistani security forces near the US Consulate in Karachi, Dawn News reported.Shortly thereafter, on March 3, the State Department directed non-essential US government personnel and their family members to leave its consulates in Lahore and Karachi due to growing security concerns.Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran since February 28, the department had warned about possible disruptions to commercial air travel as well as potential drone and missile threats from Iran.The advisory highlights the threat of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, noting that extremist groups have particularly carried out violence Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which includes the former FATA region, while major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad have also seen incidents.“Terrorists can strike without warning. They target transportation hubs, hotels, markets, malls, military and security forces sites, airports, trains, schools, hospitals, places of worship, tourist destinations and government buildings,” the US State Department’s earlier statement said.