KARACHI: The Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi hosted a farewell and welcome reception for members of the Consular Corps at the State Guest House in Karachi on Friday, bringing together diplomats and officials to celebrate diplomatic cooperation and international engagement.
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Speaking at the event, Director General FALO Karachi Muhammad Irfan Soomro welcomed members of the diplomatic community and said the gathering provided an opportunity to honour outgoing diplomats while warmly receiving newly appointed officials in Karachi.
He paid tribute to outgoing diplomats Lance Gavin Domm and Alexis Chahtahtinsky for their diplomatic contributions and extended a welcome to newly arrived diplomats Mudzakir, Akbar Eissazadeh, Ergul Kadak and Joohoon Kim.
Soomro described Karachi as Pakistan’s economic and commercial hub, saying the city offers diplomats unique opportunities beyond traditional diplomacy.
“Few cities provide such direct access to business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, media, academia and civil society,” he said, adding that Karachi naturally serves as a centre for trade, investment and economic diplomacy.
He encouraged diplomats to strengthen people-to-people contacts, facilitate travel and visa processes where possible, and promote exchanges between investors, students, trade delegations and business communities.
Addressing outgoing diplomats, Soomro said they would carry with them the warmth and resilience of Karachi as they moved on to future assignments.
British Deputy High Commissioner Lance Gavin Domm highlighted the strong relationship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, noting the importance of bilateral trade, educational links and cricket diplomacy between the two countries.
He said thousands of Pakistani students and professionals were contributing positively in the UK and stressed that both countries continued to enjoy excellent relations.
Meanwhile, French Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky said France was among the first non-Muslim nations to recognise Pakistan after independence.
He praised the longstanding defence and diplomatic ties between the two countries and described his four-year stay in Pakistan as a memorable experience.
“Karachi people are very hospitable,” he remarked during his farewell address.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, shields and bouquets were presented to outgoing and incoming diplomats in recognition of their services and new assignments.
Deputy DG MOFA Sadia Gohar Khanum and FALO official Marium were also present at the event.
