Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with German Ambassador Anna Lippel, in which they discussed important areas such as bilateral relations, relief measures for flood victims, climate change, modern agricultural and green technology, exchange of skilled manpower and education and training.
Welcoming the German ambassador, the Chief Minister appreciated the message of solidarity and immediate cooperation from Germany after the recent devastating floods. She said that environmental protection is the top priority of her government, and Germany’s technical assistance can prove important in dealing with challenges like cross-border smog and floods.
Maryam Nawaz appreciated Germany’s dual vocational training model and welcomed further cooperation in Punjab on this model. She said that Germany is a long-standing partner of Pakistan in women empowerment, social security, human development and green technology.
The Chief Minister said that in 2024, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Germany was $3.63 billion, in which Pakistan’s trade balance remained positive. Currently, 40 German companies are operating in Pakistan, which are creating employment opportunities. He stressed that these relations need to be further expanded at the provincial level.
The meeting also discussed education, Pakistani students studying in Germany, and innovation in the curriculum. The Chief Minister appreciated the services of the Anna Marie Schimmel House in Lahore and welcomed Germany’s cooperation in the promotion of sports. He termed the recent visit of the German junior hockey team to Lahore as the beginning of sports exchanges.
Speaking on the flood situation, Maryam Nawaz said that Punjab was severely affected due to simultaneous high-level floods in three rivers and continuous rains, however, the Punjab government saved millions of lives through timely evacuation, rescue and relief operations. 2.2 million livestock were shifted to safe places, while field hospitals, clinics on wheels, and flood relief camps played an important role in the field of public health.
The German ambassador also visited the Wassa Expo and appreciated the steps taken in it. He said that despite severe floods in rural areas of Punjab, the government did an exemplary job, which is commendable.