Tazeen Akhtar
Finally the same happened what was feared ! Finland is closing its Embassy in Islamabad once again ! Yes ! Once again as it was opened after it was closed in the past as well. It means Finland is the only country in the world that closed the embassy here two times. Also opened two times that gives plus points to Finland. An honorary consul general represents Pakistan in Helsinki. Pakistan has never opened embassy in Finland.
Finland has announced that it will be closing down its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar, citing “operational and strategic reasons”. Finnish foreign minister in a press release issued on Friday said, “The ministry for foreign affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026.
On 29 Sep 2025 , Finnish company Metso has announced a significant investment in providing technical equipment in Pakistan’s copper mining sector. The investment will focus on providing modern technology, mining equipment, and services.
The announcement came following a meeting between Ms. Piia Karhu, President of Minerals at Metso, and Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani. Ms. Karhu was accompanied by Finland’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Hannu Ripatti, and Honorary Consul General, Veli Airola. Ms. Karhu confirmed that Metso would soon establish a corporate office in Pakistan after finalizing the service agreement and legal status.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, same day, held a meeting with the Finnish delegation comprising H.E. Mr. Hannu Ripatti, Ambassador of Finland to Pakistan; Ms. Piia Karhu, President, Minerals at Metso,which is a global leader in equipment and services for the minerals processing industry; and Mr. Willie Eerola, Honorary Consul General of Pakistan to Finland.
Important to note here is, The Embassy of Finland had planned to celebrate the National Day on 04 Dec 2025 in Islamabad for which the invitation cards already sent to the friends of Finland including government officials. Now it is not clear that the Embassy will celebrate as per program or the National Day will be cancelled.
Ambassador Ripatti during his last couple of years tried his best to build bridges for promotion of trade and economic relations. He held meetings with concerned including ministers, business leaders and others who matter in Pakistan. He was always optimistic about strengthening the mutual bonds in all sectors having potential. He had developed a close relationship and understanding on the promotion of bilateral cooperation during his service in past few years.
I had the honor to meet and interview Mr. Rauli Suikkanen the then Roving Ambassador for Pakistan 10 years ago in Islamabad. I have met H.E Hannu Ripatti several times in Islamabad including while I was invited to National Day receptions in 2023, 2024. I know why Finland has to take this unwanted decision again.
Ambassador Finland H.E Hannu Ripatti Determined to Boost Bilateral Cooperation with Pakistan
On the very first National Day reception , Nov 2023, Serena Hotels, the chief guest, the then Caretaker Minister Education Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi could not reach as per commitment and the Ambassador had to wait for one and half hour but no one arrived creating awkward situation for the host.
It was more disturbing for Pakistani guests because they also felt bad. It was the first National Day reception after the Embassy was reopened.
Fist impression is the last impression, and the Embassy did not invite any Pakistani minister in the reception of next year 2024.
Finish Foreing Ministry has mentioned Pakistan with Afghanistan and Myanmar. He points out the political situation as one of the reasons of the closure. He said, “The embassies will be closed for operational and strategic reasons, which are linked to changes in the countries’ political situation and their limited commercial and economic relations with Finland.”
“Decisions on closures are made by a decree of the President of the Republic.Preparations to close the embassies in the three countries have “already started” and the missions would be closed during 2026, the statement said.
The move comes as part of Finland’s “strategic review” of its network of missions. It takes into account Finland’s foreign and security policy interests and the needs of Finland’s export promotion activities, the statement read.
“The aim is to concentrate resources on countries that are strategically important to Finland,” it added.
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen was quoted as saying “Our operating environment is changing rapidly. The changes to be made will help us to build a stronger and more competitive Finland and to manage Finland’s external relations in accordance with our priorities.”
The last visit of any minister of Pakistan to Finland was in June 2023 when Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, paid a two-day visit to Denmark and Finland on 8-10 June 2023. During the visits, the MOS held government level interactions and engaged with think tank and local media.
On 9 June, the MOS called on Johanna Sumuvuori, the State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland in Helsinki. The two Ministers noted the growing bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of education and vocational training.
The MOS identified Green Energy as a key sector, in which significant bilateral collaboration could be developed in near future. Minister Khar also exchanged views with her counterpart on regional and global issues of interest.
The country had shut down its operations in Pakistan in 2012 as well, forced by budgetary constraints, but the mission was later reopened in 2022. In 2023, Sweden also indefinitely closed its embassy in the capital, citing the security situation as the reason. But later it maintained and now it is working smoothly in Islamabad with a female ambassador.
