German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in education, tourism, culture, economic reforms, and investment promotion. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Germany relations and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships in areas of shared interest.
Economic Reforms and Digitalization
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal briefed the ambassador on Pakistan’s economic recovery and reform agenda, highlighting improvements in macroeconomic stability, declining inflation, lower policy rates, and renewed investor confidence. He underscored the government’s efforts to modernize public-sector governance through the digitalization of development planning processes, including the transformation of the Planning Commission’s project management and approval systems to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Higher Education and Human Capital
The minister also emphasized Pakistan’s keen interest in expanding cooperation with Germany in higher education, faculty development, research collaboration, scholarships, and academic exchange programmes to strengthen human capital development. He further invited Germany to collaborate in promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan and welcomed German expertise in tourism planning and institutional development.
Commemorating Allama Iqbal
Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted preparations for the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal next year, noting Germany’s special significance in Iqbal’s intellectual journey, and expressed the desire for strong German participation in the international events being planned to commemorate the occasion.
Germany's Commitment
Ambassador Ina Lepel appreciated Pakistan’s reform efforts and development priorities and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in education, sustainable development, cultural exchanges, and economic engagement.
