Germany eyes energy investments in Pakistan: Angela Merkel
Merkel said Germany's KfW state development bank was already involved in projects in Pakistan including hydro power plants, but added that the security situation was sometimes a deterrent.
"We can look at intensifying these (investments), as long as the conditions are right," Merkel told a joint news conference with Sharif.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Berlin, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Germany companies had shown plenty of interest in his country's energy sector.
He went on to add that Germany and Pakistan would combat terrorism in Pakistan together. “We will overcome terrorism at all costs,” Nawaz said, while addressing a gathering at the Chancellor’s office in Berlin.
Echoing Nawaz’s statement for German support to combat terrorism, Merkel said Germany is willing to help Pakistan over a range of projects.
“A stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan,” the German chancellor also affirmed.
Shifting focus to economic and trade cooperation, PM Nawaz said Germany is fourth biggest trade partner of Pakistan the two countries enjoy cordial relations.
Nawaz claimed that the two countries agreed in principle over numerous projects and deals to improve the country's economy.
“Issue of energy crisis will be resolved soon,” he assured.
Responding to a question regarding the protection of minority rights and the recent lynching of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan over alleged blasphemy, the premier said, “It is shameful and we have condemned it in the strongest possible terms.”
“My government has ordered a judicial inquiry with instructions that those responsible be given exemplary punishment,” he added.
The premier also spoke about Pakistan’s second Nobel prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, saying the teenager has not been regarded as a hero in Pakistan but she is very popular and has rendered great service in the field of education.
Commenting on talks with the premier, the German chancellor said, “We had useful talks with Nawaz Sharif and will endeavor to further strengthen Pakistan German relations.”
The premier extended an invitation to Merkel to visit Pakistan.
Earlier on his arrival at the Chancellor's Office, the prime minister was warmly greeted by a smartly turned out contingent of German Armed Forces who presented a guard of honour to him.
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@Grace Imran thinks elections are rigged and wants re counting and he has said many times if he proved wrong he will say sorry to Nawaz Sharif. A person who for 1.5 yrs asking for his rights re counting...He uses every forum and doesn't get his right.Imagine what will be his attitude..... Why govt is against re counting.... Abdullah Abdullah said the same and audit of whole elections were done and he only asked for 4 constuencies.. Firstly a person who came from wrong path I don't believe in him secondly I know the faults of 60 years can't be fixed in 1 year but some steps are taken which people can assume he is doing good....
This is your misunderstanding that people are now sick of him....The street power he shows in small cities like Sargodha PMLN fails to gather in Lahore. I would see Motorway..Its waste of money.This project will be good if made after 5 yrs.If Nawaz Sharif makes 10-15 more hospitals that will be a much bigger achievement..People are not receiving core and essential benefits like Health and Education. And be happy with Motorway...
I also want Metro in Karachi..But The metro which India makes at $3m/km and China $4m/km and Asian Development bank says it should be made within 4bn and. same is done at 20bn or 70bn..I am against it.......
You are focusing on What Imran Khan is doing but think for 1 minute why Imran Khan is doing.Why this problem is big which started from recounting of 4 constuencies.. You think PMLN is on right track....OK your choice.. The same which says these sit in of 5000 people can't affect any thing and other side they say if govt is not working its all bcz of sit in...and killing 19 people on Point Blanc in Model Town and they are right on track.... Funniest moment when Shabaz says Delay in Multan metro bcz of sitins.... Interior minister said in every constuency 60000-70000 votes can't be verified. Why then give 5 yrs to this Fake Govt.... Why not an investigation
@Grace: Please don't cry on IK, he has got into your mind. I think he is doing right thing pressurizing the govt, at least he is the only one doing this. NS, IK or democracy what ever, what is important that who sets the country priorities and policies right.
@Grace: It's not my analysis but BBC World poll of 2013. Now don't tell me that your generalise view based on your couple of german friends is more credible and the poll is biased. If you are interested in viewing the poll here is the link. You can find Pakistan on page 27. http://www.globescan.com/images/images/pressreleases/bbc2013countryratings/2013countryratingpollbbc_globescan.pdf Germans are smart and they know how corrupt minded these Pakistanis are. There is no room for sympathises in International diplomacy. Every country acts for its own interests.
@Farooq: You are welcome to your opinion in a democracy. I think PML is on the right track. However, you should complain that the government's priorities are wrong. Educate people that the government should only spend on health, education and R& D instead of spending on energy creation, infrastructure such as roads, metro bus or Gwader Port. The point is that the majority of Pakistanis voted PML N in for a reason which is that they believe in their mandate. If they prove failed in 5 years then Nawaz Sharif should be voted out. It is the childish 3 rd world attitude of wanting to pass judgement on 60 years of problems in 1 year of an elected government which troubles me. Confused supporters of Imran Khan think emotionally. I don't expect overnight change. I work for it. Pakistan is only starting to solidify the democratic system but a sore loser like Imran Khan can't work within the system but wants to call in the army and ISI and anyone else because he lost an election! He should grow up and learn what it is to be an effective opposition leader. He could do a phenomenal job in KPK and earn peoples hearts and win the next elections in 2018 after some maturity. But honestly I now think that Imran Khan is too immature and unstable to lead a country. You may well disagree with Nawaz Sharif's plans to improve the economy but the stable rupee and overseas market analysts see things more favorably. Only time will tell.
@Grace: I do not agree. When NS came in power most of the people accepted him and wanted good from him. To solve the problem you have to take steps, Pakistan have allot of problems and they all stem from this sick system, that is created by the leaders to help there own cause. Fruit of democracy is only for these politicians to enjoy power money and etc. Sorry to say PML-N have no clue how to fix problems. They are more focus on publicity stunts and of course to rule the uneducated people, keep them uneducated. You can see many of their stunts are Metro Stunts, Power Sector Stunt, Now foreign Relationship stunt etc, etc. I guess the priorities shouldn't be on making Metro bus system. Rather make engineer who can make our own Railway system, Energy generation plant's, improve agriculture cultivation systems etc.
You see there is a huge difference to borrow technology from other's and spend million for borrowing rather creating your own. After few years this borrowed technology will be old and useless and we will spend millions on maintenance and if we make our own we can upgrade it and generate money by selling it to other countries.
Take for example the German Model, they are world leaders in export at this time just last year they earned the record amount of Money just from exports now they have money they can invest in these stuff. Why because they have engineers who made Siemens, BMW, Mercedes AUDI, Volks Wagen, Porche, AEG, Zeppelin, etc. Most of the US companies want to invest in Germany, because they think that German engineer's are very intelligent.
Just compare us why would any company want to come to Pakistan. Okay, we have intelligent engineer's and intelligent people but they all run away from Pakistan. No one want's to stay in Pakistan, interestingly people who voted for PML-N also want to leave the country, not help there party to build Pakistan.
@Hamza: Show me your analysis about 80 negativity. My friends in Germany have nothing but praise and respect for Pakistan and want to see it overcome challenges. They are smart enough to know about the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan and how Pakistan served as a front line state. The know how the US used Pakistan to defeat Soviets and abandoned it. They understand how the nation has been destabilized by millions of Afghani refugees and violence. These same Germans are dealing with an unprecedented influx of refugees from Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa who are smuggling themselves into Europe daily so they relate to the strain. Germans are a lot more civilized and well read compared to other Westerners so they have a greater understanding of ground facts before they pass judgement. It does not surprise me that Angela Merkel or any German statesman would be sympathetic to helping improve the troubles of Pakistan. After all they know that Pakistan ended the Cold War by defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan. This paved the way for German reunification. I discussed this with my German friends on the day of reunification, "Der Tag der deutschen Einheit".
@Haider: I dislike Imran Khan's attitude of power at all costs and that means damaging the country economically. That is why his wasted dharna movement is back firing. People are sick of it. Even people like me who once respected Imran Khan. When I see people from PTI drag politics into every discussion on Pakistan's improvement, I now know that they care more about Imran Khan or Tahirul Qadri or something other than the country. Why can't you accept that Nawaz Sharif can't fix everything in 1 year and that he is not guilty of the last 60 years of dictators and politicians. But at the same time, Nawaz Sharif was elected by the majority and he is doing is best. I pray to see the Karachi Lahore Motorway and Metro Bus in Pindi and Multan. Try to see the big picture and work for the nation and not some stubborn cricketer turned politician who cares only about power and not the country.
@Haider: I am really saddened to see the negative venom spewed by the pseudo-intellectual trolls of Imran Khan (and his cousin-brother Qadri). Imran's end will also be in Canada/Uk, just like that of his cousin-brother after the complete failure of his dharni. All his negative tactics to destabilize Pakistan have miserably failed and Pakistan will make progress InshaAllah. I suggest that ET Moderator must not allow negative posts from the jealous trolls of ImranKhan Qadri.
@Blithe Who is IK?..Person who is there for 90 days for his rights.Were the elections not rigged.If not what's the problem in re counting of 4 seats.What do u mean by loser.What has Nawaz done till now.Why is Election Commission silent?How can a bank defaulter become a PM of Pakistan @Zack No one wants to hurt Pakistan.. Problem is with Nawaz he does useless things which won't help Pakistan.Making a Metro at 20m$/km which India is making at $4m/km..who wants this.Nawaz Sharif is only helping his interests.How much money he has spent in KPK,Baluchistan,Kashmir.Aren't they part of Pakistan.What can a rigged Prime minister can do?? I have a lot more to tell.... Petrol prices lowered but electricity rates increased.
@Blithe:Analytically speaking over 80% of germans have unfavourable view of Pakistan. And secondly London is still the Financial Capital of the world. You can't compare it with Frankfurt. Though Germany bears a great influence in EU which can help Pakistan to access European Markets.
@Blithe:Analytically speaking over 80% of germans have unfavourable view of Pakistan. And secondly London is still the Financial Capital of the world. You can't compare it with Frankfurt. Though Germany bears a great influence in EU.
@Lahori badshah: Are you sure you are not the one afflicted with the malady?
@Sodomite: Don't hide behind Chacoo. He made at least made an argument .
You were just spewing PTI hatred towards development. People like you should live in caves along with IK - you have just evolved .
@Haider: This shows the attitude of a PTI supporter and that of Imran. Hurt Pakistan just to get to be PM at any cost. Real sad...
What non-sense is that, when we will become a mature nation. Our internal differences must not so wide that we start hatred our own country. (Germany don’t waste your money in addition of Nawaz wealth in Swiss Banks. Let IK come then invest..)
@Chachoo: @Blithe: Chachoo explains it well. But Blithe you don't get it do you?? Its beyond your comprehension barrier seeing your political nuance, which is a few notches above embarrassment.
@Chachoo So we have to improve our business environment - agreed!
But I read Siemens Engineering Pakistan has even won projects outside Pakistan . And DB is one of the three major international banks left in Pakistan .
The Mittelstand names generally keep R&D in Germany . But some of them do have strategic partnerships in Pakistan and share their technology .
Let's not be that down and sell the relationship short .
Highest Percentage of profit guarantee by Govt. is enough to do this investment. but who would pay the profit .......... you and me .......... think on it
@Blithe: Sir Bosch, BASF, Siemens etc have no development center in Pakistan. Also No Mittelstand companies from Germany have any R&D in our country. They only sell their products here and they have their marketing centers here. No German company have ever invested in any university in Pakistan while in India they are rushing for Research centers establishment. German and Japanese consider Pakistani market as a third class dumping ground. Look at Japanese car makers how they exploit our car industry with 20 year old car designs. Because of our own stupidity, lack of education, innovation and research we are not considered as an interesting partner in developed countries.
@Sodomite: Do a bit of research before you spew your PTI poison on national isdues.
What does Semiens do ?? Are they not into power transmission ? What is Conergy ?? Are they not helping build the biggest solar project in Pakistan???
I could go on but I think you have been embarrassed enough
There is no news of this guy visiting Germany in German media. Like his other publicity act this is one more. If any one can find any news about him please let us know
Note "if conditions are right" and in "principle".No investors or investment is coming has conditions are not right a multitude of reasons the primary reason nawaz has no mandate..pertinent to mention regarding mala last nawaz stated that she is not seen has an heroic person, what he is saying is give me more funds to fight this menace of extremism the real reason is so he can divert more funds into "his" projects ...not happening pmnl those days are long gone thanks to Imran khan...
Germany has some significant investment in Pakistan including Siemens, BASF, DB, Bayer, etc . They also have numerous mittelstand names working in Pakistan.
mittelstand companies (mid-sized companies) are the backbone of Germany. We have to learn about developing a conducive environment from the Germans . mittelstand names are spread over the length and breath of Germany and they provide the economic prosperity to the people .
@Blithe: Agree, good advice.
I'm pretty sure soon Mian sahib will be investing his money in Germany instead of UK.
@Haider: IK and PTI losers have no right to place their self- interest in front of national interest . Who is IK? He just a loser trying to bring Pakistan down .
Our relationship with Berlin is far more important than the whims of a lunatic on top of a container.
Unfortunately German media is dead silent on our Premier's visit. But it is the job of local Pakistani embassy to aggressively publicize any such event. On the contrary most of the staff at our Embassy in Germany cannot even speak German. The Political appointees and inept staff of Pakistani embassies that are enjoying without doing any PR in Europe should be dismissed.
On the other hand i was in Europe sometime ago and Indian Embassy is so much aggressive in their Reputation that they are inviting every journalist and contacting every News channel possible to cover their positive news aspects. They even hired professional PR agencies.
Our staff and government should do the same. Make contacts and do the Lobbying to cover our news. DW, Spiegel , tageschau are always silent on any visit from Pakistani minister.
http://www.spiegel.de/ http://www.tagesschau.de/ http://www.dw.de/
Ms Merkel, please be aware that majority of Mr Sharif and his family's wealth is abroad and PM has not taken any initiative to bring it back.
I saw and heard the news conference including its English translation on "Samaa TV". Merkel stated that Germany was participating in Pakistan's social sector and in vocational training. Not in power projects as alluded by ET?? Merkel in fact stated that Pakistan should build its relations with India. And PM Sharif was asked why Malala was not considered a hero in Pakistan like the rest of the world (most people believe in Pakistan that Malala is a western stooge) and concerns on rights of minorities. Sharif's answer was his typical obfuscation on both Malala and the two Christians burnt in the brick oven.
A very wise investment plan by the Germans. They know it is a golden opportunity to invest in energy sector in Pakistan. After all, where can you get payments of billions whenever you want (minus 10%-20%) without having to supply anything.
Really important for us to cultivate a country like Germany. We have to regain our diplomatic stature.
Historically speaking, Pakistan and Germany have had excellent relations.
Frankfurt is a far more important capital than London. We have to realise the shift and we have to refocus!
Germany don't waste your money in addition of Nawaz wealth in Swiss Banks. Let IK come then invest..