France has shut its Consulate General in Karachi, marking the end of almost 50 years of diplomatic presence in Pakistan’s biggest city.
French officials dropped the French and European Union flags at the consulate for the last time on August 28. The organization also posted a brief farewell statement on its official Facebook site, thanking local partners for their support throughout the years.
Why did France shut its Karachi consulate?
France is shuttering the outpost as part of an effort to trim government spending and keep its diplomatic network smaller around the world.
The move was “related to financial considerations,” said outgoing Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky. He is on a four-year posting in Karachi and is slated to leave Pakistan on September 1.
French Ambassador Nicolas Galey also reaffirmed the permanent closure at a goodbye celebration last week. What happens to visa applications?
The Karachi consulate is now closed, and France has ceased its local consular and visa services in the city.
Karachi and other districts of Sindh requiring French visas will now have to approach the French Embassy in Islamabad for any visa-related problems and other formal consular services.
However, France will still keep a small presence in Karachi. The government proposes to appoint an Honorary Consul General to deal with basic liaison and provincial-level concerns.
Cultural and Commercial Relations to Continue
France says it will maintain cultural and commercial connections with Karachi and Pakistan despite the consulate closure.
The city’s major cultural institution will be the Alliance Française, and economic links between the two countries will continue to be promoted by the Pakistan-France Business Alliance.
Both organisations are anticipated to assist in sustaining France-Pakistan cultural and commercial ties despite the closure of the French diplomatic presence.
