Pakistan-Germany relations came into focus on Friday, October 23, when German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met President Asif Ali Zardari in Berlin and praised Pakistan’s “rising diplomatic profile” in resolving regional and global disputes. According to a statement from the Presidency, the two leaders also discussed Afghanistan, regional security and ways to expand economic cooperation.
Pakistan-Germany Relations Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties
Mr. Zardari is on a three-day visit to Germany, scheduled for October 22 to 24, as the two countries prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Dawn reported that the Foreign Office described the trip as part of high-level exchanges between the two countries, with a particular focus on economic and trade cooperation. Mr. Zardari was given a guard of honour at the German Ministry of Defence in Berlin, with Mr. Steinmeier present. The presidents held a one-on-one meeting followed by delegation-level talks.
The Pakistani delegation included Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon and Jam Khan Shoro, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Salman Sharif.
Afghanistan and Regional Security
Afghanistan featured prominently in the talks. According to the Presidency, Mr. Zardari said Pakistan has no conflict with the Afghan people but will not allow terrorists to use Afghan territory to attack its citizens or violate its sovereignty. Mr. Steinmeier, for his part, appreciated Pakistan’s help in verifying 500 Afghans destined for Germany, and commended Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to millions of Afghans over more than four decades.
The German president also showed what the statement described as significant interest in the Makkah defence pact, which Dawn reports has been signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. Mr. Zardari responded that the pact is meant to ensure regional security and offer an alternative to regional conflicts, and that it is not directed against any specific country.
Mr. Zardari also thanked his host for acknowledging Pakistan’s sincere mediation role in the conflict between the United States and Iran. He said Pakistan views conflict resolution through sustained dialogue and constructive negotiations. The characterisation of Pakistan’s mediation comes from the Presidency’s account of the meeting, and no separate German readout was cited in the Dawn report.
Economic and Technological Cooperation
On the economic front, Mr. Steinmeier expressed hope that both countries would pursue reinforced efforts in business, trade, education and technological cooperation. Mr. Zardari said there was potential to expand political, economic and defence cooperation, with greater emphasis on trade, emerging technologies, climate resilience, skills development, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Pakistan, he said, is ready to move beyond traditional areas towards innovative and mutually beneficial collaboration. The areas he listed included scientific development, healthcare, education, vocational training, agriculture, commerce, industry and climate resilience, to be pursued through government-to-government, business-to-business and expert-level interaction. He described Germany as a major European partner and expressed admiration for its support for women’s empowerment, social protection and human development.
Recent Contacts Between the Two Governments
The meeting builds on other recent engagements. In September, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the German foreign office, Berlin appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in regional conflicts, especially in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the two sides agreed to get negotiations on peace for Ukraine going.
In June, a German delegation announced plans to bring about 30 German companies to Pakistan and connect local businesses with European markets, Dawn reported.
Invitation to Visit Pakistan
Mr. Zardari invited Mr. Steinmeier to visit Pakistan. The German president said he would consider a visit at an appropriate time, which leaves the timing open. The Pakistani leader said his trip reflected a commitment to deepening cordial, longstanding ties and turning existing goodwill into a stronger and more robust partnership through sustained engagement.
Outlook for Pakistan-Germany Relations
The visit comes at a symbolically important moment, and the public statements on both sides were warm. What remains to be seen is whether the discussions translate into concrete outcomes in trade, investment and technical cooperation, which the Presidency’s statement identified as priorities but did not tie to specific agreements. With the 75th anniversary approaching, further announcements during the remainder of the visit would indicate how far Pakistan-Germany relations are set to advance.
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