LAHORE: (Monday, May 4, 2026): German Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Ina Lepel has underscored Germany’s commitment to climate neutrality, youth welfare, global peace, prosperity and enhanced academic collaboration with Pakistan. She was addressing a special interactive session at Punjab University Institute of Administrative Sciences here on Monday. On this occasion, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, Director External Linkages Prof Dr Yaamina Salman, Director Institute of Administrative Sciences Prof Dr Kashif Rathore, faculty members, students and a large number of Punjab University alumni of German universities were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Lepel said Germany was making vigorous efforts to improve the global environment and had set a clear national vision to make the world climate neutral by 2045. She said her country was rapidly shifting towards renewable and reusable sources of energy while public and governmental attention had increasingly turned towards electric vehicles owing to rising petroleum prices. She stated that in this era of technological revolution, we need to see what artificial intelligence can do. Germany has in recent months highlighted green technology, renewable energy and climate resilience. She said Germany remained focused on peace, security and prosperity in Europe. Highlighting various aspects of the recent situation in the Middle East, US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine war, she noted that world peace had once again reached a fragile juncture. “We want countries across the world to improve relations with each other because dialogue is the only sustainable way forward,” she remarked. She added that a sound economy and a strong defense were both essential for national stability, while internal institutional strength was equally necessary for countries to navigate contemporary global challenges. The envoy said Germany was playing an active role in strengthening Europe’s strategic self-reliance and described the European Union as the world’s largest and most influential trade bloc. She observed that bureaucratic red tape had to be eliminated for effective solutions to social and governance problems.
Appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement at multilateral forums, Ms Lepel praised Pakistan’s role at the United Nations Security Council and disclosed that German Chancellor had recently telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss regional tensions, reflecting Berlin’s continued interest in peace and stability in South Asia. Highlighting educational and economic linkages, she said around 10,000 Pakistani students were currently studying in Germany, while Pakistan, being the fifth most populous country in the world, represented an important trade market for Germany. She said the German Academic Exchange Service was providing scholarships to hundreds of Pakistani students every year and noted that many Pakistanis were eager to work and acquire technical skills in Germany’s small and medium industrial sector. Germany’s academic institutions and scholarship bodies have been steadily expanding outreach to Pakistani universities, including Punjab University, in recent years. Responding to students’ questions on diplomacy, the ambassador said the core skills required in diplomacy were largely universal. She advised aspiring diplomats to cultivate the ability to listen carefully, understand other cultures, remain eager to learn, stay calm under pressure and avoid being swayed by provocation or rhetoric. “A good diplomat is one who understands before reacting,” she said.
Earlier, the German ambassador visited the Vice Chancellor’s office and met PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali. Dr Ali said Punjab University was keen to promote joint research, faculty collaboration and academic exchange programmes with German universities. He stressed that international research partnerships were vital for innovation and knowledge sharing, adding that the university looked forward to deepening its engagement with German institutions. He reiterated Punjab University’s resolve to build stronger institutional linkages with German academia for the promotion of collaborative research and student mobility.