By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: German Consul General Thomas E. Schultze has congratulated the people of Pakistan on the country’s 79th Independence Day, describing the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Germany as a partnership built on trust, reliability and sustainability.
In a message marking Independence Day, Schultze said Pakistan and Germany would celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations on October 15, an important milestone in a relationship that has continued to deepen over the decades.
He said economic ties between the two countries dated back more than a century and began well before formal diplomatic relations were established. He cited the opening of the first office of German company Siemens in Lahore in 1922 as an early example of the longstanding commercial links.
Germany, he said, remained one of Pakistan’s key trading partners and the largest importer of Pakistani products within the European Union. Around 90% of Pakistan’s exports benefit from the EU’s GSP+ scheme, which he described as an important opportunity for the country’s exporters.
Schultze also highlighted the contribution of women to Pakistan’s development, saying the country’s future could not be fully realized without their meaningful participation. He said Pakistani women were making important contributions in education and business while helping create new opportunities.
Reflecting on his experience in Pakistan, the German diplomat said the hospitality of the country and warmth of its people had left a lasting impression on him. He praised the strong people-to-people links and goodwill that underpin relations between the two countries.
Schultze reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and said both countries were keen to expand cooperation and build an even stronger partnership in the years ahead.
