KARACHI: The French Consulate in Karachi has been permanently closed, with the French mission formally announcing the end of its operations in the city.
The French Consulate also shared a farewell message for Karachi, saying “Goodbye Karachi.” Following the closure, the French and European Union flags were removed from the consulate building, marking the end of its presence in the city.
In its farewell message, the French Consulate thanked its friends, partners and others who had supported and worked with the mission during its years of operations in Karachi.
The closure represents a significant change in France’s consular presence in Pakistan’s largest city. However, diplomatic relations between France and Pakistan continue, with the French Embassy in Islamabad maintaining the country’s diplomatic representation.
The decision to close the Karachi consulate had previously been linked to budgetary constraints. Last month, French Consul General Alexis said during an event marking France’s National Day that the French government had decided to shut the office in Karachi because of budget-related reasons.
The French official’s remarks had provided an indication that the consulate’s closure was imminent. The latest announcement and removal of the flags have now formally marked the conclusion of the consulate’s activities in Karachi.
