Tag: Peshawar

The United States (US) has announced plans to permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, according to a report by The Independent. The consulate is the US’ closest diplomatic mission to the Afghan border and served as a primary operations and logistics hub during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.

The US State Department informed Congress of its intention to close the consulate, stating that the move would save $7.5 million annually without affecting US national interests in Pakistan. 

“The move has been under consideration for more than a year since the Trump administration began downsizing nearly all federal agencies and is not related to the Iran war,” the report said.

The joint US-Israeli war against Iran, which began on February 28, led to protests in multiple cities. Following an incident in Karachi that resulted in 11 deaths, the US Consulate in Karachi temporarily suspended operations.

According to the notification, the State Department will spend $3 million on closing the Peshawar consulate. More than half of this amount will cover the relocation of armoured trailers that had served as temporary office space, while the rest will go toward moving equipment, furniture, and the consulate’s motor pool fleet to the US Embassy in Islamabad and the consulates in Karachi and Lahore.

The Independent noted that the consulate had been a key point for overland travel into Afghanistan and a contact location for American citizens in northwestern Pakistan, as well as Afghan nationals seeking US assistance. 

The notification also stated that consular services would be handled by the embassy in Islamabad, roughly 184 kilometres from Peshawar.

“The closure would not adversely affect the mission’s ability to advance core US national interests, assist US citizens, or to conduct adequate oversight of foreign assistance programs because all of those functions would continue to be performed by US Embassy Islamabad,” the report said.

Earlier this month, the US State Department had ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to leave consulates in Karachi and Lahore due to security concerns following the protests. The consulate in Peshawar had temporarily suspended operations in line with the advisory.

Three members of the Federal Constabulary (FC) have been martyred in an attack on the force’s headquarters in the Saddar area of Peshawar on Monday morning, as reported by police.

Authorities stated that the event occurred just after 8 a.m. on a main road adjacent to the compound. CCTV footage revealed that one of the attackers, dressed in a chaddar, approached the entrance and detonated explosives at the gate. Shortly thereafter, two additional attackers tried to breach the premises.

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad informed the media that “initially, three militants tried to attack the headquarters. One terrorist blew himself up at the gate, while two others tried to enter the premises but were gunned down by FC personnel.” 

He confirmed that three FC members were martyred and two were injured and taken to a hospital. He noted that a clearance operation was conducted outside the compound.

According to the CCPO, “the FC soldiers foiled the terrorist plot due to their alertness,” and the attackers were “neutralised” at the entrance.

The headquarters of FC, formerly known as the Frontier Constabulary until its renaming in July, is situated near a military cantonment. The compound encompasses barracks, medical facilities, and residential units. The attack took place as personnel were assembling for the weekly first working day meeting.

In the aftermath of the incident, an emergency was proclaimed at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH). Hospital officials reported that 11 injured individuals were brought to LRH and one was taken to KTH.

Monday’s assault marks the second significant attack on a security facility in Peshawar in recent years. In 2023, 84 individuals lost their lives in a suicide bombing at a mosque located within the Police Lines.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the incident in a statement from the PM Office.

He remarked that “timely action taken by security forces saved us from major harm,” and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured. He emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and countering any threats against Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari similarly condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the fallen personnel. He stated that “externally backed Fitna-al-Khawarij cannot weaken Pakistan’s unity, resilience or resolve.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi released a statement honoring security personnel. He asserted that “such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our morale,” and affirmed that the provincial government stands alongside the police and law enforcement agencies.

He stated that “every resource available will be utilised to eliminate terrorism,” and instructed authorities to ensure medical care for the injured while expressing prayers for the families of the martyred.

Pakistan has encountered an increase in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and expressed intentions to target security forces, police, and law enforcement personnel.

In September, six soldiers were martyred and five attackers were killed during a thwarted assault on the FC headquarters in Bannu district.

The military indicated that the attack was conducted by Indian proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij.

A tragic house fire near Kochi Bazaar in Peshawar has claimed the lives of four people, including a woman, as confirmed by Rescue 1122 officials.

According to spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi, the blaze erupted in a residential building next to the market, triggering an immediate response from fire and rescue teams. 

Six people were reportedly trapped inside when the fire broke out.

Rescuers were able to pull three people out from the burning structure at first.

Two firefighters passed out from exhaustion and smoke inhalation during the operation.

 Everyone who was saved, including the firefighters who suffered injuries, was sent right away to local hospitals to receive treatment.

Despite the best efforts of the staff, four persons could not be saved. The victims were identified as Riaz, Shehnaz, Rafiq, and his wife.

Over 40 rescue personnel, supported by six fire engines, took part in the intense firefighting operation, which aimed not only to control the blaze but also to stop it from spreading to adjacent shops and residences.

Efforts were hampered by the building’s location in a congested area with narrow alleyways, making access difficult for rescue vehicles. 

However, after hours of firefighting, officials confirmed that the flames had been brought under control and cooling operations were underway.