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Asia
In terms of its population Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world and, as the second largest Islamic nation, it is playing an increasingly important role in the international community. Due to its geographical location, neighbouring India, China, Iran and Afghanistan, the country has a major impact on the stability of the entire region.
Pakistan’s history has been fraught with conflict, both within the country and with its neighbours. For a long time it was part of the British Empire. In 1947, British India gained independence and the Indian sub-continent was partitioned into Islamic Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. Since that time, the two countries have gone to war with each other several times. A continuing cause of contention is Kashmir, a region claimed by both countries. Since both countries are nuclear powers, this conflict poses a potential threat extending far beyond the region. A process started in 2003 of cautious confidence-building rapprochement at senior government level was suspended by India after the attacks in Mumbai and only resumed in the summer of 2010.
Following serious political unrest in 2007, which culminated in the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan held parliamentary and presidential elections in 2008. The elections brought to an end the military dictatorship that had been in place since 1999. The clear winner of the parliamentary elections was the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto. The PPP entered a coalition government with the Awami National Party (ANP – Party of the Pashtuns) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM – party of the ethnic Indian Muslims). Following President Pervez Musharraf’s resignation, Zardari was sworn in as the new president in September 2008. Yousaf Raza Gilani (PPP) has been prime minister since 25 March 2008. The challenge now facing Pakistan’s government is to bring political and economic stability to the country.
The political situation in Pakistan remains unstable. After the Taliban had assumed rule over parts of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North-West Frontier Province) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the Pakistan Government launched in 2009 several military offensives in order to restore state control in those areas. Nevertheless, the conflict with the extremists is not yet over, and fighting is continuing in the tribal areas. In 2009 alone more than 3,300 people died in terrorist attacks – the majority of them innocent civilians or members of religious minorities.
The country’s economic situation also remains very strained. Poverty, energy shortages and rising food prices affect many people’s daily lives and hamper economic and social development.
The country is prone to natural disasters. A massive earthquake in October 2005 claimed more than 70,000 lives in Pakistan and destroyed much of the infrastructure in the affected regions. In the summer of 2010 heavy monsoon rains brought devastating flooding. More than 20 million people in Pakistan and one fifth of the country’s territory were directly affected. Pakistan’s economic development was thrown back by years.
Bilateral relations
Pakistan and Germany traditionally enjoy friendly relations. Pakistan is one of Germany's most important partners in South Asia. The priority areas of development cooperation are good governance, basic education, primary health care, and renewable energies and energy efficiency. In addition, the German Government frequently provides significant levels of emergency assistance.
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






