KARACHI: Beach luxury Hotel was the venue where karachiites and expatriates converged on 14th July (2025) to celebrate the French National (Bastille) Day at an event hosted by the Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky.
Addressing the ladies and gentlemen in the audience he said: “Honorable Governor, Honorable Chief Minister Sindh, excellencies…colleagues…dear compatriots, guests and friends, Mesdames and Monsieurs, cher amis de France au Pakistan.
“I am deeply honored and privileged to be able to welcome you here tonight, as Consul General of France in Karachi and the representative of the French government in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.
“And to address this distinguished gathering as we celebrate together for the third year in a row the French National Day also known as Bastille Day on 14th of July.
“On this day, that also serves as France’s armed forces day, French people traditionally celebrate the unity … of their nation as well as the common values that bind them from the day of the French Revolution.
Highlighting the significance of Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood in the politics of France, the Consul General stated: “On 14th of July 1789, exactly 236 years ago, the people of Paris united behind their military, under the command of General Lafayette, stormed and forever destroyed the sinister Bastille prisons, a symbol of arbitrarily detention, monarchic authoritarianism and oppression.
“I am glad that we could gather tonight in Karachi in order to celebrate this historic event that has, to a significant extent reshaped the world as French Revolution call for freedom still resonates throughout the globe.
“And most importantly to celebrate together the friendship between our two nations. France indeed has a well-established track-record as being Pakistan’s trusted friend.
“France was the first non-Muslim nation to recognise Pakistan’s independence in 1947. Since then France has been standing alongside Pakistan at all stages of its development.
“We remember that Pakistani Air Force Pilots learned how to fly on French Mirage fighter jets. Those were the days when Pakistan Army was flying French Alouette helicopters.
“Then, when Pakistan Navy’s Agosta submarine was being built here in Karachi by French Naval Engineers. This belongs to history and cannot be undone by anyone.
“Today we cooperate within the United Nations framework with Pakistan (now sitting at the UN Security Council as an elected member in the year 2025-26). France being, of course, one of the five permanent members.
“As such we maintain peace and security throughout the world in the face of growing risks and conflicts , be it in Europe, in Middle East or elsewhere, including Asia.
“Our relations today may encompass different areas of life but France is still here alongside Pakistan to accompany your country on its development path.
“As we gather today overlooking the shores of the Indian Ocean … I take pride in the fact that my country has hosted a United Nations Summit on the Ocean (UNOC 3) in Nice, Côte d’Azur (I am back from there!).
“In particular, the need to enhance efforts to preserve coastal areas and specially the mangroves, that you can see over there (at Chinna Creek) was particularly highlighted.
“And we can also feel the heat of one of the hottest summers in the last decades in this part of the world. This reminds us of global challenges related to climate change the challenge of responsible management of water and the ocean.
“President Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have met frequently since 2022 when Pakistan, particularly the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan were severely affected by catastrophic flood. They met again last December at the One Water Summit in Riyadh, where they decided to increase cooperation.
“In this regard the significant improvement in Pakistan’s economic and financial situation over the past two years recognized in particular by IMF is an important incentive for French companies (many of which are represented here tonight) to increase the activities in Pakistan.
“This allows the French companies present in Pakistani market such as CAN CGM, Schneider Electric, L’Oréal or indeed Peugeot, [nice French car that is producing in Karachi (you can see at the entrance) … successful joint venture with Lucky Motors plant in Korangi. ]
“At the same time Pakistani companies are exporting to France … Gul Ahmed Textile or Chottani Industries. Or companies investing in France such as Martin Dow (also represented here tonight) continue to thrive taking advantage of their privileged access to French and European markets.
“I thank all the companies mentioned and I did not have time to mention, for supporting our event tonight.”
The Consul General said that they had been able to rejuvenate and bring new life into the Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) that is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce in Paris.
Pointing out that PFBA aims at promoting economic relations between the two countries, the Consul General said: “Special word of thanks to Mr. Humayun Ahmed , the CEO of Schneider Electric, who is currently serving as the CEO PFBA.”
He said that Franco-Pak cooperation extends beyond economic sphere: “France and Pakistan have enjoyed cooperating over sixty years now in the field of archaeology with French archaeologists excavating thousands of artifacts across Balochistan and Sindh…” .
Reiterating that conservation of cultural heritage was indeed a top priority for France, the consul General said that France had been able to do meaningful work in the domain of health and education in collaboration of Provincial Governments.
Acknowledging the collaborations with Afgha Khan Foundation and IBA, Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky pointed out that Karachi was th ehost to teh oldest foreign cultural centre in Pakistan Alliance Française de Karachi.
He informed that a permanent representative of Campus France is now stationed in Karachi, aiming to assist Pakistani students seeking higher education in France, at an affordable cost.
With live music and extravagant buffet to satisfy the palate of hundreds of guests, spectacular fireworks illuminated the skies over Arabian Sea.
Newspakistan.tv
