ISLAMABAD: Mr Christoph Schmid, a member of the German Bundestag, called on the Honourable Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly at Parliament House, Islamabad, and discussed Pakistan-Germany relations, parliamentary exchanges and matters of regional importance.
The meeting was held at the Deputy Speaker’s Chamber. Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Special Secretary, Special Initiatives, also attended the meeting.
Welcoming Mr Schmid, the Deputy Speaker underscored the longstanding and multifaceted relations between Pakistan and Germany and noted the considerable German interest in Pakistan over the years. He said parliamentary delegations and exchanges between the two countries had remained active before the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed the need to revive and further expand such engagement.
The Deputy Speaker recalled the 2014 visit of the then Speaker of the German Bundestag, Prof Dr Norbert Lammert, to Pakistan and described it as an important milestone in parliamentary relations between the two countries. He noted that, during the visit, he had the privilege of hosting the Speaker at his residence in Karachi, where representatives of the business community, civil society and political leadership interacted with the visiting dignitary, providing an opportunity to engage with different segments of Pakistani society.
He also expressed appreciation for Germany’s humanitarian assistance to Pakistan during the 2010 floods. The Deputy Speaker acknowledged Germany’s support and engagement during earlier periods of regional instability linked to conflicts in Afghanistan, saying its continued understanding and support amid present regional challenges was deeply valued.
Mr Schmid appreciated the warm welcome extended to him and emphasised the importance of further strengthening parliamentary relations between Pakistan and Germany. He highlighted the significance of establishing a Pakistan-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group in the German Bundestag as an effective platform for sustained parliamentary engagement.
The Deputy Speaker welcomed the initiative and said the National Assembly was ready to pursue the matter through appropriate channels to further strengthen institutional links between the two Parliaments.
Mr Schmid also appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting dialogue and mediation amid the current regional tensions involving Iran. He observed that Pakistan’s efforts to engage partners with differing perspectives and facilitate dialogue had attracted considerable attention in Germany and internationally. He noted that coverage of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had generated increased interest among German parliamentarians.
The Deputy Speaker shared fond personal memories associated with Germany, saying his first-ever flight was to Frankfurt on Lufthansa. He also recalled a road journey from Stuttgart to Pakistan with his father. He expressed pleasure at the prospect of welcoming Mr Schmid on a future visit to Pakistan and offered to host him in Karachi.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming the importance of sustained parliamentary engagement and closer people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Germany. The proposed establishment of a Pakistan-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group in the German Bundestag was welcomed as an important step towards giving renewed impetus to parliamentary dialogue.
