He says the decision has been made by the French government solely for budgetary reasons
Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky.
KARACHI:
French Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky on Wednesday announced the closure of the French diplomatic mission in Karachi, saying the decision had been taken by the French government solely for budgetary reasons.
“We will continue to deepen our relationship with Pakistan, mainly through our Embassy in Islamabad, while the French presence in Karachi will be maintained, based on three pillars: the new Honorary Consul General, who will perform consular functions and remain in contact with provincial governments; the France Pakistan Business Alliance (PFBA), which will continue to actively promote business and trade; and the Alliance Française, the French Cultural Centre, which will continue to play its full role in the promotion of language and culture in this vibrant city,” Chahtahtinsky said while at a ceremony held to commemorate French National Day, also known as Bastille Day.
He said the decision was part of an effort to make the French presence “smaller and smaller”, not only in Pakistan but also in other countries.
Chahtahtinsky further added: “I feel deeply honored and privileged to be able to welcome you here this evening, as Consul General of France in Karachi and representative of the French government in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. And to address this distinguished gathering as we celebrate together for the fourth consecutive year, French National Day, also known as Bastille Day, on July 14.”
“On this day, which is also the Day of the French Armed Forces, the French people traditionally celebrate the unity of their nation, as well as the common values that have united them since the day of the French Revolution,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood in French politics, the Consul General declared: “On July 14, 1789, exactly 237 years ago, the people of Paris united behind their army, under the command of General Lafayette, stormed and forever destroyed the sinister prisons of the Bastille, a symbol of arbitrary detention, monarchical authoritarianism and oppression.
“I am glad that we can gather tonight in Karachi to celebrate this historic event that has, to a large extent, reshaped the world, as the call for freedom of the French Revolution still resonates around the world. And most importantly, to celebrate together the friendship between our two nations. Indeed, France has a well-established record as a reliable friend of Pakistan.”
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He stated that “France was the first non-Muslim nation to recognize the independence of Pakistan in 1947. Since then, France has been by Pakistan’s side at all stages of its development. Our relations today may span different walks of life, but France is still here alongside Pakistan to accompany its country on its path of development.”
He added that President Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had met frequently since 2022, when Sindh and Balochistan provinces were severely affected by catastrophic floods.
“This allows the presence of French companies in the Pakistani market, such as CAN CGM, Schneider Electric, L’Oréal or even Peugeot, a nice French car produced in Karachi, a successful joint venture with the Lucky Motors plant in Korangi,” he added.
Further highlighting the economic ties between the two states, he said: “Pakistani companies such as Gul Ahmed Textile and Chottani Industries are exporting to France. Then there are entities, such as Martin Dow, investing in France. Pakistani companies continue to prosper, taking advantage of their privileged access to the French and European markets. The diplomatic mission here was able to rejuvenate and breathe new life into the PFBA, which is affiliated to the Paris Chamber of Commerce.”
He said Franco-Pakistani cooperation extends beyond the economic sphere: “France and Pakistan have cooperated for more than sixty years in the field of archaeology, with French archaeologists excavating thousands of artifacts in Balochistan and Sindh.”
Reiterating that the conservation of cultural heritage was indeed a top priority for France, the consul general said that France had been able to carry out significant work in the field of health and education in collaboration with provincial governments.
Acknowledging the partnerships with the Agha Khan Foundation and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Consul General Chahtahtinsky noted that Karachi was home to the oldest foreign cultural center in Pakistan, the Alliance Française de Karachi.
He said that a permanent representative of Campus France is currently posted in Karachi, with the aim of helping Pakistani students seeking higher education in France at an affordable cost.
