Pakistan seeks deeper trade, investment and defense ties with Germany

According to Mettis Global, President Asif Ali Zardari urged wider engagement with Germany during a meeting with Salman Sharif, the incoming ambassador. Topics raised included commerce, investment, development assistance, defence, the movement of skilled workers and ties between businesses. Zardari framed 2026, the 75th year of diplomatic relations, as a chance to broaden the partnership.

He stressed that bilateral trade and business activity should grow, noting that Germany is the largest EU export market for Pakistan. Zardari also asked for continued defence cooperation and a prompt, favourable response to Pakistan's outstanding requests. He referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's invitation to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and said he hoped a visit could be scheduled at a convenient time for both sides.

Zardari congratulated Sharif on his new posting and voiced confidence that he would help deepen Pakistan-Germany ties. Senators Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwalla, along with former federal minister Syed Naveed Qamar, were present at the meeting. The details come from a press release that Mettis Global cited.