Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
German Ambassador Dr. Ina Lepel’s visit to National Press Club Islamabad and her comment about bilateral economic and trade cooperation, that German Pakistan cooperation has not been increased in last one decade according to its potential, has made me recall four points of my work on Germany Pakistan relations ;
1- I was the first journalist in Pakistan who interviewed her on her first appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan in 2015. We discussed Death Penalty abolishment in Pakistan as one of many conditions for GSP status of Pakistan. Ambassador discussed many prospects and it was a cordially conducted interview but on second meeting in an event she was not as cordial as she was in her office. God knows why ………….
2- A meeting with German Ambassador Martin Kobler alongwith Pakistani German Business delegation. Mr. Martin said Europe is late with respect to tapping the potential of trade with Pakistan. He said EPEC Europe Pakistan Economic Corridor should have been established so far. He would straight forward point out defects in Pakistani thinking on infrastructures.
3- My talk with German Ambassador Bernhard Schlagheck. He said ,” Pakistan calls itself Regional Hub but has no trade with the neighbor countries.” He mentioned corruption and justice , administration system in Pakistan as hurdles in intending investment companies of his country. He said Pakistani market is not perfect.
4- My interview with German Ambassador Mr. Alfred Grannas. He was reluctant and accepted my proposal only for postal interview only. I sent questions and he returned answers that were not well explained and with little expression and information. But I liked his because he was a good dancer and one of his vidoe dancing at a festival in Islamabad recieved many views on my Youtube.
Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner within the European Union and 7th largest globally. The only reason for dissatisfaction of the German Ambassadors about Pakistan is , the trade balance is heavily in Pakistan’s favour.
Bilateral goods trade currently standing at approx. $4.23 billion (2025) according to PTEA/LCCI, or €3.71 billion according to Germany Trade & Invest figures — €2.87 billion German imports from Pakistan and €840 million German exports to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s exports — 78% of which are textiles and apparel (cotton garments, knitwear), plus leather, sports goods, surgical instruments and footwear — grew 13.4% in 2025, benefiting from the EU’s GSP+ preferences.
German exports of machinery (24%), chemicals, electrical goods, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and iron products remained broadly flat.
Despite 75 years of diplomatic ties and €3.8 billion in German development aid since 1961, both sides — as German Ambassador Ina Lepel and President Zardari noted during the October 2026 visit — agree the $4 billion level does not reflect true potential, with the PTEA proposing a target of a $10 billion trade partnership through diversification into IT, pharma, renewable energy and joint ventures, supported by a new Pakistan Desk at the German-Emirati Joint Council and GIZ programs for sustainability and labour compliance.
Ambassador Dr. Ina Lepel, in her interaction with jouranlists at press club, stressed the urgent need to expand bilateral trade. She pointed out with concern that despite the passage of several years, trade volume between the two nations has not reached its true potential.
Reflecting on her previous diplomatic tenure in Pakistan in 2015, she expressed regret that the trade metrics had seen no substantial improvement since then. She reiterated that immense economic potential exists between both countries, requiring concerted efforts to boost trade, investment, and business collaboration for mutual benefit.
On the situation in Ukraine, the Ambassador strongly criticized Russian military actions and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, stating that Germany and the European community stand firmly with Ukraine. She emphasized that Russia must halt the killing of innocent civilians and respect international law, peace, and sovereignty. She added that European nations continue to provide unwavering political, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
Discussing higher education opportunities, Dr. Ina Lepel noted that Germany has become a preferred destination for Pakistani students thanks to its world-class academic institutions, extensive research prospects, and conducive learning environment.
While Germany has increased the number of visas issued to Pakistani students, she explained that an overwhelming surge in applications occasionally causes processing delays. She assured the audience that German authorities are actively working to streamline the procedure to make visa processing more efficient and swift.
She concluded that the media, people-to-people contacts, and educational exchanges play a vital role in further cementing the bonds between the two nations.
NPC President Abdul Razak Sial and Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao welcomed the ambassador on arrival. They took the ambassador to different sections of the club and briefed her about the activities of the club for facilitation and welfare of the journalists.
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President Asif Ali Zardari’s Historic Visit to Germany — Boosting 75 Years of Bilateral Cooperation
It was astonishing for me to see that neither German Ambassador discussed nor any journalist questioned her on President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari’s recent three-day official visit to Germany from October 22-24, 2026, at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit holds historic significance as it is the first visit by a Pakistani Head of State to Germany in 23 years and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany (established October 15, 1951).
President Zardari held one-on-one and delegation-level talks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Talks also covered meetings with senior German officials and leading German business representatives. According to the Presidency and German side, discussions focused on:Political, Economic & Defence Cooperation, Trade and Investment – expanding commerce and investment, Emerging Technologies, Climate Resilience, Skills Development, Healthcare, Education, Vocational Training, Scientific Development, Agriculture, Commerce and Industry.
On the final day of the visit, Siemens Executive Vice President Daniel Frisch and a delegation met President Zardari in Berlin and affirmed support for strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure. Siemens will soon visit Pakistan to execute MoUs on capacity building and technological initiatives in the medical sector.
The high-level visit is seen as a significant chapter in Pakistan-Germany relations, reflecting shared determination to further expand bilateral ties beyond traditional areas into innovative collaboration through government-to-government, business-to-business and expert-level interactions.
President Zardari invited President Steinmeier to visit Pakistan, which the German President said he would consider at an appropriate time. Now it is reciprocal. German President’s visit to Pakistan will accomplish the purpose of Zardari’s visit to upgrade bilateral cooperation and this will pave the way to the satisfaction of the Ambassadors of Germany in Islamabad.
