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Home/Research & Publications/Pakistan's Bilateral Relations/Pakistan–Netherlands

Pakistan–Netherlands Relations

Relations since 1948; the Netherlands is a major EU export market for Pakistan, trade was about US$1.9 billion in 2025-26, and more than 150 Pakistani diplomats have trained at the Clingendael Institute. Compiled by the IPDS Centre for European Studies from official sources. Last revised 5 November 2026.

1948
Relations established
$1.9bn
Bilateral trade, 2025-26
11
Rounds of Bilateral Political Consultations
150+
Pakistani diplomats trained at Clingendael
Latest development →ChronologyAll countries A–Z
Latest development

Where Pakistan–Netherlands Relations Stand Now

Aug 2026

Dutch embassy delegations met chambers of commerce in Lahore and Sialkot; officials put bilateral trade at about US$1.9 billion in 2025-26 (Pakistan's exports US$1.44 billion, imports US$505 million) and set a target of US$5 billion. (Profit, Express Tribune)

Pakistan and the Netherlands established relations in 1948 and describe them as friendly, longstanding and broad-based. Relations are governed by Bilateral Political Consultations at Foreign Secretary level, and cooperation covers trade and investment, science and technology, education, agriculture, water management, culture and climate change. The Netherlands is one of Pakistan's key trading partners in the European Union.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Diplomatic Engagement

20 Jan 2025: The 11th round of Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad, reviewing the full range of bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)

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

Trade & Investment

2025-26: Bilateral trade was about US$1.9 billion: Pakistan's exports of US$1.44 billion, mainly home textiles, hosiery, woven fabrics and rice, and imports of US$505 million, including petroleum and dairy products. (Profit, Express Tribune)

Aug 2026: Business chambers and the Dutch embassy set a goal of raising trade to US$5 billion. (Profit, Express Tribune)

Diplomatic Training & Education

Annual: The Netherlands offers a yearly training course for junior Pakistani diplomats at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague; the MoU was extended for four years in 2024 and more than 150 diplomats have taken part. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

MechanismStatus
Bilateral Political ConsultationsHeaded by the Foreign Secretaries; 11th round in Islamabad on 20 January 2025. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)
Legal base

Agreements & Frameworks

YearAgreement
2024Extension of the MoU on the Clingendael training programme for Pakistani diplomats, for four years. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)
Timeline

Chronology

1948 to present · A steady partnership

Relations have grown from trade into science, water management, education and diplomatic training.

1948

Pakistan and the Netherlands established relations. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)

2024

Clingendael training MoU extended for four years. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)

20 Jan 2025

11th Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad. (Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague)

21 Nov 2025

Foreign ministers met in Brussels. (MOFA Pakistan)

Aug 2026

US$5 billion trade target set. (Profit)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When were Pakistan-Netherlands relations established?

In 1948, according to Pakistan's Embassy in The Hague.

How large is Pakistan-Netherlands trade?

About US$1.9 billion in 2025-26, with Pakistan exporting US$1.44 billion and importing US$505 million, according to figures cited at chamber meetings with the Dutch embassy in August 2026.

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.

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

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