KARACHI :(DNA) –  The government of Switzerland is closing its consulate in the economic hub of Pakistan on December 31, 2018.

The Swiss Embassy in Islamabad is taking over the consular activities of the representation in the port city. The Swiss governemnt has also decided to auction the consulate’s property in Karachi .

The decision to shut down was made on a recommendation by the Foreign Ministry of Switzerland , which said the consulate general no longer provided consular services and had limited opportunities to promote Swiss business interests, trade and tourism.

Meanwhile, business community has expressed its dismay over the closure of the consulate in Karachi terming it a bad decision.