Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has called for stronger Pakistan-Germany cooperation in green startups, sustainable innovation and research, saying the two countries could take their longstanding relationship to new heights through climate-friendly initiatives.
Addressing a celebration of the Day of German Unity here Friday, the minister said that Pakistan wanted to work with Germany’s innovation ecosystem to promote green entrepreneurship and develop sustainable solutions with the potential to expand globally.
“We want to do a startup revolution, all things green, all things sustainable,” he said, explaining that the government wanted researchers and young innovators to develop businesses based on their ideas rather than relying solely on grants.
The minister said that Pakistan’s challenging environmental conditions, including floods, made it important to develop innovative solutions that could also prove viable internationally.
He expressed the hope that cooperation with Germany’s innovation system would help establish a green startup ecosystem and strengthen long-term bilateral ties through research, new ideas and sustainable development.
Highlighting the importance of economic cooperation, Musadik Malik described Germany as one of Pakistan’s closest partners and friends and its largest trading partner. He said that the government was committed to meeting the standards required to maintain Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, emphasising that the country sought to demonstrate its commitment rather than ask for concessions.
He said that Pakistan wanted to strengthen its economic and trade relations with Germany and build on the existing partnership.
Reflecting on the message of German Unity, the minister said the reunification of the two parts of Germany demonstrated the power of people’s will, love and togetherness.
“It tells us that walls can be raised, but walls can also be shattered, and walls can also be broken,” he said, adding that unity achieved through love and togetherness was more enduring.
He said people shared more common ground than differences arising from languages, cultures and religions, and stressed the importance of recognizing their common humanity.
The minister also highlighted historical connections between Pakistan and Germany, recalling that Allama Muhammad Iqbal had travelled to Heidelberg, studied Goethe and learned German. He expressed gratitude for Germany’s recognition of Iqbal through the naming of a road after him.
He also recalled the contribution of a German woman, Ruth, who had stopped in Karachi while travelling to India because of visa difficulties and subsequently devoted the remainder of her life to serving people affected by leprosy in Pakistan.
The minister said her decision to remain in Pakistan reflected the humanitarian bonds between the two countries.
Offering greetings on behalf of the prime minister, Musadik Malik congratulated Germany on the celebration and praised the peaceful coming together of its two parts.