Germany and Pakistan have enjoyed close and diverse relations since 1951. Germany is represented in Pakistan by an embassy in the capital, Islamabad, and a consulate general in the country’s business hub, Karachi.

Germany is very keen to see democratic and sustainable development in Pakistan and has a great interest in the country playing a constructive role in the region, for example as one of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours. German‑Pakistan development cooperation began in 1961. Since then, the German Government has pledged 3.8 billion euro in project support. Development cooperation focuses on support for renewables and climate action, as well as business (including vocational training) and good governance (including healthcare).

Germany is Pakistan’s most important trading partner in the EU in terms of bilateral trade, which amounted to 3.5 billion euro in 2021. Pakistan’s main exports to Germany are textiles, leather goods, sports goods, footwear and medical instruments, and its main imports from Germany are machinery, chemical and electrical goods, motor vehicles and iron goods.

The long‑established, effective academic and scientific exchange plays an important part in cultural relations between Germany and Pakistan.

The Goethe‑Institut in Karachi, together with an associate partner and accredited Goethe‑Zentrum in Lahore (the Annemarie‑Schimmel‑Haus), is the major actor in cultural relations, offering cultural programmes and language courses. Germany is one of the most popular destinations for young Pakistani researchers wishing to pursue a PhD, along with the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. More than 5000 young people from Pakistan are currently studying in Germany.

The Friedrich‑Ebert‑Stiftung, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Hanns Seidel Foundation are all represented in Pakistan, supporting projects in the fields of strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights and empowering women, tackling climate change, deradicalisation, regional cooperation and media work, among others.

Information about German development cooperation with Pakistan can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.