Pak-German cooperation continues to grow in all areas, says envoy
LAHORE:Renowned educationist and career counsellor Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi recently held an insightful conversation with Her Excellency, Ina Lepel, German Ambassador to Pakistan, marking an engaging dialogue on the evolving relationship between Pakistan and Germany.
The discussion touched upon diplomatic ties, economic collaboration, sustainability, and the growing educational and migration links between the two nations.
Welcoming the Ambassador back to Pakistan for her third tenure, Mr Abidi opened the interview by asking how it felt to return and how she viewed the country’s transformation over the years. The Ambassador shared her admiration for Pakistan’s resilience and progress, highlighting the warmth and hospitality she has always experienced during her assignments in Islamabad.
Reflecting on her earlier experiences in Pakistan, the Ambassador noted that her previous postings had given her valuable insights into the country’s social and economic dynamics. These experiences, she explained, are helping to shape her current diplomatic priorities, particularly in fostering stronger economic and educational partnerships.
The discussion also explored emerging areas of bilateral cooperation. The Ambassador emphasised Germany’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in the fields of renewable energy, climate sustainability, technical education, and vocational training, areas that are critical for Pakistan’s long-term development and youth empowerment.
A major highlight of the dialogue was the rise in student mobility from Pakistan to Germany, with an increasing number of young Pakistanis choosing German universities for their higher education.
The Ambassador welcomed this trend, recognising education as a key bridge between the two nations. She assured that the Embassy is working to further facilitate academic exchanges and collaboration between institutions in both countries.
She also highlighted that the Embassy has digitalised the visa processing system and streamlined many procedures to make the process more efficient. However, she acknowledged that due to the growing number of applications, managing the demand remains a challenge.
Addressing concerns about illegal migration to Europe, the envoy stressed the importance of promoting legal, safe, and structured pathways for students and skilled professionals.Mr Abidi shared that he has previously created awareness videos on this subject and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the German Embassy in educating Pakistani youth about legitimate opportunities available in Germany.
The interview concluded on a note of mutual optimism, reaffirming that education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections remain at the heart of Pakistan-Germany relations. Both sides expressed confidence that through joint efforts, these collaborations will continue to strengthen, opening new doors of opportunity for students and professionals alike.
