Pakistan–Germany Relations: Latest, Timeline, Trade & Agreements

Latest development

Where Pakistan–Germany Relations Stand Now

23 Oct 2026

President Asif Ali Zardari held talks in Berlin with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who received him with a guard of honour, during an official visit from 22 to 24 October marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. President Zardari called for expanding political, economic and defence cooperation, with greater focus on trade, emerging technologies, climate resilience, skills development and people-to-people exchanges. (Radio Pakistan, Radio Pakistan)

Pakistan and Germany established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1951 and marked 75 years of ties in 2026. The relationship is institutionalised through a Strategic Dialogue launched by the two foreign ministers in 2012, and covers politics, trade, development, defence, education and culture. Germany is Pakistan's largest export market in the European Union, with the trade balance in Pakistan's favour, and is home to a Pakistani community of around 131,500 people and more than 9,000 Pakistani students.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Diplomatic Engagement

21 Nov 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels. (MOFA Pakistan)

24 Sep 2026: Ishaq Dar and Johann Wadephul met on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York and marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. (Radio Pakistan)

22 to 24 Oct 2026: President Asif Ali Zardari paid an official visit to Germany at the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, leading a high-level delegation. (Radio Pakistan, Radio Pakistan)

Trade & Investment

2023: Pakistan's exports to Germany were US$2.52 billion and imports US$1.05 billion, according to Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) figures published by Pakistan's Embassy in Berlin. Pakistan has recorded a trade surplus with Germany every year since 2012. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

Composition: Pakistan mainly exports textiles, leather goods, sports goods, footwear and medical instruments; it imports machinery, chemical products, electrical goods, motor vehicles and iron products. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

Development Cooperation

Nov 2025: The two governments concluded their bilateral negotiations on development cooperation in Islamabad, with Germany committing €114 million for 2025-26. The next round of negotiations is due in Berlin in 2027. (Profit)

Multilateral Cooperation

Ongoing: Both countries support each other's candidatures in multilateral bodies on a reciprocal basis. Germany has supported Pakistan on the FATF and on the EU's GSP+ scheme, and the two coordinated closely on the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 in November 2022. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

People-to-People

Diaspora: Around 131,500 people of Pakistani nationality or origin live in Germany, of whom about 76,000 are Pakistani citizens; more than 9,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in German universities and institutes. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

Mechanism	Status
Strategic Dialogue	Signed and launched by the two foreign ministers in Berlin in September 2012. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)
Development cooperation negotiations	Held in Islamabad in November 2025; the next round is due in Berlin in 2027. (Profit)

Timeline

Chronology

1951 to 2011 · Establishing ties

Relations date from the early 1950s and grew around trade, development and education.

15 Oct 1951

Pakistan and Germany formally established diplomatic relations. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

2012 to 2024 · Strategic Dialogue

The relationship was given a structured framework.

Sep 2012

The two foreign ministers signed and launched the Pakistan-Germany Strategic Dialogue in Berlin. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

2021

The two countries marked 70 years of diplomatic relations. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

Nov 2022

Pakistan and Germany coordinated closely on the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27. (Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin)

2025 to present · 75 years

High-level contact marked the 75th anniversary of relations.

Nov 2025

Development cooperation negotiations concluded with a €114 million German commitment for 2025-26; the foreign ministers met in Brussels. (Profit, MOFA Pakistan)

24 Sep 2026

The foreign ministers marked the 75th anniversary in New York. (Radio Pakistan)

22 to 24 Oct 2026

President Zardari's official visit to Germany. (Radio Pakistan, Radio Pakistan)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Pakistan and Germany establish diplomatic relations?

On 15 October 1951. The two countries marked 75 years of relations in 2026.

How large is Pakistan-Germany trade?

Bilateral trade was about US$3.6 billion in 2023 (Pakistan's exports US$2.52 billion, imports US$1.05 billion), according to Destatis figures published by Pakistan's Embassy in Berlin. Germany is Pakistan's largest export market in the European Union.

How many Pakistanis live in Germany?

Around 131,500 people of Pakistani nationality or origin, according to Pakistan's Embassy in Berlin, along with more than 9,000 Pakistani students.

What was the latest high-level visit?

President Asif Ali Zardari paid an official visit to Germany from 22 to 24 October 2026 at the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Sources & method

Sources & Methodology

Official records come first: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy pages, the partner government's own publications, and state news services. News reporting is cited only where no official text is published. Every entry links to its source. No Wikipedia.

Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin · mofa.gov.pk
Radio Pakistan · www.radio.gov.pk
Radio Pakistan · radio.gov.pk
MOFA Pakistan · mofa.gov.pk
Radio Pakistan · radio.gov.pk
Profit · profit.pakistantoday.com.pk

How to cite: IPDS Centre for European Studies, “Pakistan–Germany Relations,” Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, last revised 5 November 2026, https://ipd.org.pk/research-publications/pakistan-germany-relations-tracker/

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Pakistan–Germany Relations