# Zardari in Germany from 22 to 24 October, first visit by a Pakistani head of state in 23 years

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/politics/zardari-in-germany-from-22-to-24-october-first-visit-by-a-pakistani-head-of)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 22 Oct 2026
Updated: 22 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 25 Oct 2026

> The president meets Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German business leaders in Berlin as the two countries mark 75 years of ties. Trade is the focus; Germany is Pakistan's biggest EU trading partner.

**President Asif Ali Zardari left for Berlin on Thursday 22 October for a three-day visit to Germany, the first by a Pakistani head of state in 23 years**, the President's House said, as [Geo News reported](https://www.geo.tv/latest/687800-president-zardari-embarks-on-three-day-germany-visit-to-boost-economic-ties). He is visiting from 22 to 24 October at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Foreign Office said, according to [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636317/president-zardari-to-visit-germany-from-oct-22-24-fo).

## What is on the agenda

The president will meet Steinmeier, senior German leaders and business leaders, the Foreign Office said, "with a particular focus on economic and trade cooperation". The visit falls in the year Pakistan and Germany mark **75 years of diplomatic relations**, which were established in 1951.

No agreements or deals have been announced in advance.

## Why Germany matters to Pakistan

- **Trade:** Germany is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the European Union, The Express Tribune noted. Textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals and IT have been named as areas for closer business ties.
- **Aid:** in May the two countries signed a **€40.5 million** technical cooperation agreement covering nine development projects, with support from Germany's development bank KfW, on climate change, the energy transition and social protection. At today's [euro rate](/data/eur-pkr) of about Rs 311, that is roughly **Rs 12.6 billion**.
- **History:** Germany's consul general in Karachi said in August that business links go back to 1922, when Siemens opened its first office in Lahore.

## What it could mean for you

For exporters, the timing matters. Pakistan's current GSP+ arrangement, which gives its goods duty-free or low-duty access to the EU, expires in December 2026; Pakistan will apply for the new scheme after the new EU rules take effect on 1 January 2027, with the existing terms continuing during a grace period to 31 December 2028, [Geo News reported](https://www.geo.tv/latest/687754-pakistan-to-seek-fresh-eu-gsp-status-from-january-2027) from The News. As the EU's largest economy, Germany's view carries weight in Brussels.

If you are pricing study, work or a business deal in Germany, convert costs at today's rate with our [currency converter](/tools/finance/currency-converter).

We will update this story with any agreements signed in Berlin.

## Frequently asked questions

**When is President Zardari visiting Germany?**

From 22 to 24 October 2026, at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It is the first visit by a Pakistani head of state in 23 years.

## Sources

- President Zardari embarks on three-day Germany visit to boost economic ties (22 Oct 2026) (Geo News): https://www.geo.tv/latest/687800-president-zardari-embarks-on-three-day-germany-visit-to-boost-economic-ties
- President Zardari to visit Germany from Oct 22-24: FO (22 Oct 2026) (The Express Tribune): https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636317/president-zardari-to-visit-germany-from-oct-22-24-fo
- President Zardari departs for Germany on 3-day visit to discuss bilateral ties (22 Oct 2026) (Dawn): https://www.dawn.com/news/2039000/president-zardari-departs-for-germany-on-3-day-visit-to-discuss-bilateral-ties
- Islamabad to seek fresh EU GSP+ status from January 2027 (22 Oct 2026) (Geo News): https://www.geo.tv/latest/687754-pakistan-to-seek-fresh-eu-gsp-status-from-january-2027

How to cite: "Zardari in Germany from 22 to 24 October, first visit by a Pakistani head of state in 23 years", Searchable, 22 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/politics/zardari-in-germany-from-22-to-24-october-first-visit-by-a-pakistani-head-of