Pakistan, Germany Seal €114m Development Deal

Pakistan and Germany on Wednesday wrapped up their bilateral negotiations on development cooperation in Islamabad, with Berlin announcing a new financial and technical commitment worth €114 million for 2025-26. The latest development package targets core sectors including climate and energy with an emphasis on a just transition, sustainable economic growth, vocational training, and social protection initiatives.

The talks were jointly led by Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Christine Toetzke, Director-General at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. German Ambassador Ina Lepel and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany Saqlain Syeda also attended the discussions, highlighting the strong institutional cooperation between the two nations.

Secretary Karim expressed gratitude to the German government for its continued assistance in boosting Pakistan’s renewable energy drive, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening social protection programs. He also underscored the importance of aligning future support with Pakistan’s Economic Transformation Plan titled URAAN Pakistan.

Christine Toetzke praised Pakistan’s reform efforts and reiterated Germany’s resolve to help the country tackle climate challenges, economic overhaul, and social development goals.

German Ambassador Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties

Ambassador Ina Lepel commended the enduring relationship between the two countries and stated that Germany values its longstanding ties with Pakistan. She added that both governments will remain committed to promoting sustainable development, improved governance, and community-focused growth.

At the end of the meeting, Secretary Humair Karim and Director-General Toetzke signed the Summary Record of the 2025 Pakistan Germany Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation, officially confirming the new commitments and reaffirming their shared intention to further deepen collaboration.

Both sides agreed to enhance joint work under the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership, improve coordination on vocational training and youth employment, and continue cooperation in social protection and disaster resilience.

The next round of bilateral negotiations between Pakistan and Germany is scheduled to take place in Berlin in 2027.