Key Points
- President Zardari calls for expanding political, economic and defence cooperation with Germany.
- Pakistan and Germany mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
- Both presidents seek stronger trade, education and technological cooperation.
- Germany appreciates Pakistan’s assistance in verifying Afghans for repatriation.
- Pakistan says the Makkah Defence Pact is not directed against any country.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has told his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that Pakistan will not allow terrorists to use Afghan territory to attack its citizens or violate its sovereignty, while stressing that Islamabad has no conflict with the Afghan people.
The two leaders discussed Afghanistan-related security challenges during their meeting in Berlin, with Zardari underscoring that addressing cross-border terrorism remains central to regional security.
The German president praised Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in addressing regional and international disputes. He appreciated Pakistan’s assistance in facilitating the verification of 500 Afghans destined for repatriation to Germany. Steinmeier also acknowledged Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to millions of Afghans over more than four decades. He also extended condolences over the recent deaths of children in a school roof collapse in Peshawar.
Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s position that conflicts should be resolved through sustained dialogue and constructive negotiations to promote regional and global peace and stability.
A stronger strategic partnership
Both leaders called for expanding political, economic and defence cooperation between Pakistan and Germany, emphasising stronger engagement in trade, emerging technologies, education and climate resilience. The talks took place as Pakistan and Germany mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
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President Zardari Stresses for Holistic Expansion of Bilateral Cooperation towards Robust Constructive Partnership between Pakistan and Germany*
President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed on the imperative of realising available potential for expanding existing political, economic and defence cooperation between Pakistan and Germany with greater focus on economy and trade, emerging technologies, climate resilience, skills development, people-to-people and cultural exchanges during meeting with Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin today.
President Zardari thanked President Steinmeier for his invitation and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He said the visit reflected Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its longstanding cordial, friendly relations with Germany and readiness to translate existing relations into a more stronger, robust and mutually beneficial partnership through sustained constructive engagement.
The President noted with profound appreciation that this landmark visit is now taking place after 23 years defining a significant chapter in bilateral relations as the two countries commemorate 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
He stated that Pakistan highly values Germany as a major European partner, and greatly admires German support towards women empowerment, social protection and human development.
President Asif Ali Zardari stated that Pakistan stands prepared for expanding bilateral cooperation beyond traditional areas into innovative and mutually beneficial collaboration with Germany in scientific development, healthcare and education, vocational training and technological advancement, trade and investment, agriculture, commerce and industry, and climate resilience through enhanced government-to-government, business-to-business, and experts level interactions.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his gratitude to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for German acknowledgement of Pakistan’s sincere mediation role in US-Iran conflict. He stated that Pakistan views resolution of conflicts through sustained dialogue and constructive negotiations for the sake of regional as well as global peace and stability.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warmly welcomed President Zardari’s visit to Germany on the momentous occasion of 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany this year. He also extended his condolences on the tragic death of children during school roof collapse in Peshawar recently.
The German President expressed the hope that Pakistan and Germany will continue to engage with reinforced efforts in the business and trade fields for promotion of bilateral business, education collaboration and technological
cooperation.The German President praised Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile in resolving regional and global disputes. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appreciated Pakistan’s government for facilitating the verification of 500 Afghans destined to be repatriated to Germany. He also appreciated Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to millions of Afghans during the last more than four decades.
Both the Presidents discussed the challenges related to Afghanistan. President Asif Zardari apprised that Pakistan has no conflict with Afghan people but said Pakistan will not allow terrorists to use Afghan soil to attack our citizens and violate our sovereignty.
Responding to the German President’s significant interest, President Zardari said Makkah Defence Pact is aimed at ensuring regional security and provides regional security alternative to regional conflicts, and is not directed against any specific country.
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— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 23, 2026
President Zardari said Pakistan valued Germany as a major European partner and sought to translate the two countries’ longstanding friendly relations into a stronger, more robust and mutually beneficial partnership.
Zardari called for greater cooperation in trade and investment, scientific development, healthcare, education, vocational training, agriculture, commerce and industry. He also highlighted climate resilience, skills development, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges as areas requiring greater attention. He proposed strengthening collaboration through enhanced government-to-government, business-to-business and expert-level interactions to explore opportunities beyond traditional areas of cooperation.
The president also appreciated German support for women’s empowerment, social protection and human development, describing Germany as an important partner for Pakistan in Europe.
Reinforcing bilateral engagement
Steinmeier welcomed Zardari’s visit, describing it as an opportunity to reinforce bilateral engagement during the 75th anniversary year. He expressed hope that the two countries would intensify cooperation in business and trade, education and technology. The discussions also covered the Makkah Defence Pact, which Steinmeier expressed significant interest in. Zardari said the pact was intended to ensure regional security and provide an alternative to regional conflicts, adding that it was not directed against any specific country.
Zardari invited Steinmeier to visit Pakistan. The German president responded that he would consider the invitation at an appropriate time. The two leaders also held delegation-level talks following their one-on-one meeting.
The Pakistani delegation included Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon and Jam Khan Shoro, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Salman Sharif.
