According to him, the decision was taken by the French government solely for budgetary reasons
Consul General Alexis Shahtahtinsky.
KARACHI:
French Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky announced on Wednesday the closure of the French diplomatic mission in Karachi, saying the decision was taken by the French government solely for budgetary reasons.
“We will continue to deepen our relations with Pakistan, mainly through our embassy in Islamabad, while the French presence in Karachi will remain, based on three pillars: the new honorary consul general, who will exercise consular functions and remain in contact with provincial governments; the Pakistan-France Business Alliance (PFBA), which will continue to actively promote business and trade; and the Alliance française, the French Cultural Center, which will continue to fully play its role in promoting the language and French culture in this dynamic city,” Chahtahtinsky said during a ceremony. to mark the French national holiday, also known as Bastille Day.
He said the move was part of an effort to make the French presence “leaner and leaner” not only in Pakistan but also in other countries.
Chahtahtinsky added: “I am 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, the French national holiday, also known as Bastille Day, on July 14.”
“On this day, which is also French Armed Forces Day, the French 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 Fraternity in French politics, the Consul General declared: “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 prisons of the Bastille, a symbol of arbitrary detention, monarchical authoritarianism and oppression.
“I am happy that we can come together this evening in Karachi to celebrate this historic event that has, to a large extent, reshaped the world, while the call for freedom of the French Revolution still resonates around the world. And above all, to celebrate together the friendship between our two nations. France indeed has a well-established history as a trusted friend of Pakistan.”
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He said that “France was the first non-Muslim nation to recognize the independence of Pakistan in 1947. Since then, France has stood with Pakistan at all stages of its development. Our relations today may encompass different areas of life, but France is always there alongside Pakistan to accompany your country on the path of development.”
He added that President Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have met frequently since 2022, when Sindh and Balochistan provinces were severely affected by catastrophic floods.
“This allows the presence of French companies on the Pakistani market, such as CAN CGM, Schneider Electric, L’Oréal, or even Peugeot, a beautiful French car produced in Karachi, a successful joint venture with the Lucky Motors factory 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, which invest in France. Pakistani companies continue to prosper, taking advantage of their privileged access to French and European markets.
He said that French-Pakistani cooperation extends beyond the economic sphere: “France and Pakistan have enjoyed cooperating for over sixty years now in the field of archaeology, with French archaeologists excavating thousands of objects across Balochistan and Sindh. »
Reiterating that the conservation of cultural heritage was indeed a top priority for France, the consul general said France had been able to accomplish significant work in the field of health and education in collaboration with provincial governments.
Acknowledging partnerships with the Agha Khan Foundation and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Consul General Chahtahtinsky highlighted that Karachi is home to Pakistan’s oldest foreign cultural center, the Alliance Française de Karachi.
He said a permanent representative of Campus France was now based in Karachi, with the aim of helping Pakistani students wishing to pursue higher education in France at an affordable cost.
