KARACHI (Kashmir English): The Consulate General of France in Karachi has been permanently closed, implying an end to over 50 years of French consular representation in the city.
The French Consulate announced its closure with an emotional goodbye message to Karachi at the end of its operations.
During the closing ceremony, the French and the EU flags were lowered and passed on for closure. The French Consulate thanked its partners and institutions in Karachi for the cooperation received throughout the years.
Established in 1976, the French Consulate General in Karachi served the residents and businesses in Sindh province and the surrounding areas.
The closure is also a part of the broader agenda of France to reorganize its diplomatic networks. The closure of the Consulate General of France in Karachi will not lead to the breakdown of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and France.
The French Embassy in Islamabad remains responsible for representing France in Pakistan, just as the French cultural entities, the Alliance Française de Karachi and the Pakistan-France Business Alliance, will continue to function normally in Karachi.
The French Embassy will keep providing visa services to the Pakistani people based on its already existing arrangements.
The closure actually symbolizes the closure of France’s consular presence in Karachi for almost 50 years; however, the diplomatic and economic relations between Pakistan and France are still intact.
