Pakistan

GIZ local staff

National employees: 328
International employees: 32
Development workers: 3

_{(as at: 31.12.2022)}

Germany and Pakistan have been engaged in development cooperation since 1961. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Pakistan since 1963 and has maintained a country office in the capital, Islamabad, since 1990.

Pakistan’s population is set to grow by 40 million people in the next 15 years and the economy needs to grow by more than 7 per cent a year to create jobs for this growing young population. Moreover, Pakistan is facing a significant shortage in energy supplies. Due to its geographical position Pakistan is vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. A large proportion of the country’s population, in particular poor people, minorities, women, and children have only limited access to public services. In remote areas, particularly along the border to Afghanistan, Pakistan faces issues to deliver basic services due to a lack of administrative structures.

Pakistan hosts more refugees from Afghanistan than any other country. Some 1.4 million people from the neighbouring country are officially registered, in Pakistan. According to estimations another one million Afghan refugees live in the country without having registered.

Working on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ’s activities focus on the following priority areas:

• Training and sustainable growth for decent jobs
• Peaceful and inclusive societies
• Climate and Energy

GIZ provides support for thousands of apprentices and vocational education institutions to enable them to meet the demands of the labour market. It assists the agencies operating the social security and health insurance system in providing social protection for large numbers of people. In the textile sector, where many people find employment, GIZ is supporting the Pakistani Government to ensure that labour and environmental standards are upheld.

GIZ is advising Pakistan on a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly approach to governance. For example, its work promotes decentralisation and local governance. This includes assistance for state and civil society efforts to boost basic education and health services on the border with Afghanistan.

By promoting financing options and advising on technical implementation GIZ supports the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

On behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office (AA), GIZ is helping Pakistan to improve its management of refugees.