Says the decision was taken by the French government purely for budgetary reasons
Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky.
KARACHI:
French Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky announced the closure of the French diplomatic mission in Karachi on Wednesday, saying the decision had been taken by the French government purely for budgetary reasons.
“We will continue to deepen our relationship with Pakistan, primarily through our embassy in Islamabad, while the French presence in Karachi will remain, depending on three pillars: the new Honorary Consul General, who will carry out consular duties and remain in contact with the provincial governments; the Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA), which will continue to actively promote the Alliance’s business and trade; play its full role in promoting the French language and culture in this vibrant city,” said Chahtahtinsky while speaking at a ceremony held to mark the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day.
He said the decision was part of an effort to make the French presence “thinner and slimmer”, not only in Pakistan but also across other countries.
Chahtahtinsky further added, “I am deeply honored and privileged to welcome you here this evening, as the Consul General of France in Karachi and the 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 year in a row, the French National Day, also known as the 1st of July, the 1st of July.”
“On this day, which also serves as France’s Armed Forces Day, the French people traditionally celebrate the unity of their nation as well as the shared values that bind them since the day of the French Revolution,” he said.
The Consul General emphasized the importance of liberty, equality and fraternity in the politics of France: “On July 14, 1789, exactly 237 years ago, the people of Paris united behind their military, under the command of General Lafayette, stormed and destroyed forever the sinister Bastille prisons, a symbol of arbitrary authority, arbitrary depression and oppression.
“I am glad that tonight we could gather in Karachi to celebrate this historic event that has significantly reshaped the world, as the French Revolution’s call for freedom still resonates across the globe. And most importantly, to celebrate together the friendship between our two nations. Indeed, France has a well-established trusted friend like Pakistan.”
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He stated that “France was the first non-Muslim nation to recognize Pakistan’s independence in 1947. Since then, France has stood with Pakistan at all stages of its development. Our relations today may cover different areas of life, but France is still here with Pakistan to accompany your country on its path of development”.
He added that President Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had met frequently since 2022, when the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan were hit hard by catastrophic floods.
“This allows the presence of the French companies in the Pakistani market, such as CAN CGM, Schneider Electric, L’Oréal, or indeed Peugeot, a nice French car produced in Karachi, a successful joint venture with Lucky Motors plant in Korangi,” he added.
Further highlighting the economic ties between the two states, he said: “Pakistani companies like Gul Ahmed Textile and Chottani Industries export to France. Then there are entities like Martin Dow that invest in France. Pakistani companies continue to thrive and benefit from their privileged access to French and European markets. The diplomatic mission here had been able to bring new life to the PF trade and PFBA. in Paris.”
He said Franco-Pak cooperation extends beyond the economic sphere: “France and Pakistan have enjoyed cooperation for over sixty years now in archaeology, with French archaeologists excavating thousands of artefacts across Balochistan and Sindh.”
Reiterating that cultural heritage preservation was indeed a top priority for France, the Consul General said France had been able to do meaningful work in 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 pointed out that Karachi hosted the oldest foreign cultural center in Pakistan, the Alliance Française de Karachi.
He said that a permanent representative of Campus France was now stationed in Karachi, with the aim of assisting Pakistani students seeking higher education in France at an affordable cost.
