France Announces Permanent Closure of Karachi Consulate After Nearly 50 Years

KARACHI: France has announced the permanent closure of its consulate in Karachi after nearly five decades of diplomatic services in the city.

French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey made the announcement while addressing a farewell ceremony in Karachi. The event was jointly organized by the Board of Management of the Quaid-i-Azam House Museum and the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations. The ceremony also marked the departure of French Consul General in Karachi Alexis Chahtahtinsky.

The French ambassador said the consulate in Karachi was established in 1976 and would now be permanently closed after around 50 years of service. He clarified, however, that French cultural, diplomatic and commercial activities in Karachi would not come to an end.

According to Nicolas Galey, Alliance Française in Karachi would continue to play an important role in promoting French cultural activities, while the Pakistan-France Business Alliance would also continue working to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries.

The ambassador also praised Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts during the Gulf crisis, saying Pakistan had emerged as an influential country in difficult circumstances.

French Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky said he would leave Karachi for France on September 1. Recalling his four years in the city, he described the period as memorable and said Karachi would always hold a special place in his heart.

He described Karachi as Pakistan’s economic hub and home to the country’s largest port, saying the city was of major importance for business and commercial activities. He noted that Pakistan had faced serious challenges related to crime and terrorism in the past, but its recent diplomatic efforts, particularly its mediation role during the Gulf dispute, had enhanced the country’s standing internationally.

Speaking at the ceremony, Karachi Council on Foreign Relations Vice Chairman Ikram Sehgal highlighted the historical ties between Pakistan and France. He said France was the first non-Muslim country to recognize Pakistan, while diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1951.

Ikram Sehgal also highlighted French cooperation with Pakistan in the defence sector, saying Pakistan had acquired Daphne- and Agosta-class submarines from France, as well as Mirage III and Mirage V fighter aircraft in the past. He said upgraded versions of the Mirage aircraft continued to be operated by Pakistan following modernization.

Expressing concern over the closure of the French consulate in Karachi, Sehgal said that given Pakistan’s growing geopolitical and economic importance, France should have strengthened rather than reduced its diplomatic and commercial presence in the city.

He said Pakistan was witnessing significant opportunities in trade, investment and emerging geopolitical partnerships and was preparing to play a greater role on the international stage.

The French consulate in Karachi was established in 1976, and its permanent closure was announced on August 26, 2026.