Pakistan seeks deeper trade, investment and defense ties with Germany

October 09, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has called for deeper cooperation with Germany across trade and investment, development cooperation, defense, skilled labour mobility and business-to-business engagement, with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 seen as an opportunity to expand ties.

President Asif Ali Zardari said this during a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Germany, Salman Sharif, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding relations with Germany, according to the press release.

The President stressed the need to raise bilateral trade and business engagement, noting that Germany is Pakistan’s largest export destination in the EU.

He also called for continued defense cooperation, early favorable consideration of Pakistan’s pending requests and greater cooperation on skilled labour mobility.

The President recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit Pakistan, and expressed hope that the visit would take place at a mutually convenient date.

He congratulated Sharif on his new assignment and expressed confidence that he would work towards further strengthening Pakistan-Germany relations.

Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and former Federal Minister Syed Naveed Qamar were also present at the meeting.

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