Paris/Karachi, 18 July (H.S.): France has decided to permanently close its Consulate General in Karachi, Pakistan, as part of its policy to reduce budgetary expenditure and streamline its global diplomatic network.

Confirming the decision, French Consul General in Karachi Alexis Chahtatinsky said the closure of the consulate would not affect France's diplomatic or bilateral relations with Pakistan. He stated that all diplomatic and consular services for Pakistan will henceforth be administered through the French Embassy in Islamabad.

He also clarified that Alliance Française, the French cultural centre in Karachi, and the Pakistan-France Business Alliance will continue to function as usual. As a result, cultural exchanges, academic cooperation and business engagement between the two countries are expected to remain unaffected.

France has been reviewing its global diplomatic infrastructure in recent years as part of a broader effort to optimise costs and reorganise its overseas consular network. The decision to close its Consulate General in Karachi is being viewed as part of this wider strategic restructuring of France's international diplomatic presence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar