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Asia
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was one of the first countries with which Germany began development cooperation. The Pakistan-German development partnership was launched in 1961. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, in 2011, a comprehensive review was carried out of the progress, status and outlook of the partnership, and future challenges and areas of activity were jointly identified.
In terms of population, Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world and the second largest Islamic nation. Pakistan plays an important role in the international community. Due to its geographical position neighbouring India, China, Iran and Afghanistan, the country has a major influence on the stability of the whole region. Relations between Pakistan and its neighbouring states have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. This is especially true for the border region with Afghanistan, on account of insurgency movements and terrorist attacks. But to see Pakistan solely in terms of its proximity to Afghanistan would be to do less than justice to the country and its people.
Pakistan can look back on a turbulent history, and it has an exceptional cultural heritage. Both history and culture continue to exercise a strong influence on the country's political and social life. When British India attained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 the country was partitioned into what was later to become the largely Hindu Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The countries were called Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan until 1950 and 1956, respectively. The conflict over the region of Kashmir has triggered hostilities between India and Pakistan on several occasions. In 1971, East Pakistan gained its independence as the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Since 2003 there has been a cautious rapprochement between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, though it has frequently been placed under severe strain, for example by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
Following serious political unrest in Pakistan in 2007, parliamentary and presidential elections took place in 2008, marking a peaceful transition from military rule to a democratically elected government. Nevertheless, there are still deficiencies in governance and democratic institutions. The Government of Pakistan has adopted some important reforms, but the challenge of consolidating the country politically and economically remains.
When the Taliban took control over parts of the province known today as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North-West Frontier Province) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the Government of Pakistan conducted a number of military offensives in 2009 to restore government control in these areas. The conflict with the extremists is not over yet. Fighting and attacks still occur. These internal conflicts have already claimed thousands of lives.
Pakistan's economic situation remains precarious. Many citizens are having to cope with poverty, energy shortages and high food prices on a daily basis.
Natural disasters are a frequent occurrence in Pakistan. A major earthquake in October 2005, which claimed over 70,000 lives in Pakistan, destroyed much of the infrastructure in the region of Azad Jammu Kashmir. In the summer of 2010, heavy monsoon rains caused disastrous flooding. More than 20 million people and one fifth of Pakistan's territory were directly affected. Pakistan's economic development was thrown back by years. In August and September 2011, heavy monsoon rains in the southern province of Sindh again caused widespread damage, and again several million people were affected.
Bilateral relations
Pakistan is one of Germany's most important partners in south Asia. Relations between Pakistan and the Federal Republic of Germany have traditionally been friendly. Germany is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the EU, and Pakistan is very interested in expanding economic relations. Pakistan does not belong to the group of least developed countries. However, given its geographical situation in a troubled region and with the various political upheavals and conflicts at home and its enormous importance for global achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Pakistan is one of the most challenging partner countries of German development cooperation.
German Embassy

German Embassy in Pakistan
Ramna 5
Diplomatic Enclave
Islamabad
Republic of Pakistan
Phone: +92 / 51 / 2 27 94 30-35
Fax: +92 / 51 / 2 27 94 36






