Germany increases student visas for Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Germany has increased the number of visas issued to Pakistani students seeking admission to its universities, German Ambassador Dr Ina Lepel has said, acknowledging that a growing number of applications sometimes leads to delays in processing.

Speaking to journalists at the National Press Club (NPC) during its international outreach programme, “Meet the Press”, the ambassador said Germany had witnessed considerable interest among Pakistani students wishing to pursue higher education in the country.

“There is a huge demand from Pakistani students seeking education in Germany. Sometimes applications take longer because of the volume, but we are working to simplify procedures and make the process more efficient,” she said.

Lepel described Germany as one of the preferred destinations for Pakistani students, citing its quality universities, research facilities and welcoming academic environment. She said the German authorities were making efforts to facilitate applicants and improve the visa process.

The ambassador also called for stronger economic and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and Germany, stressing that bilateral trade had yet to reach its full potential.

She recalled serving in Pakistan in 2017 and said she had not witnessed significant improvement in trade volumes since then. According to her, both countries needed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and business to benefit from their existing economic potential.

Discussing regional developments, Lepel praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, particularly during the recent confrontation between the United States and Iran. She said Pakistan had played a constructive role in promoting dialogue and preventing further instability.

The ambassador stressed that diplomacy remained the most effective way to resolve international disputes and avoid escalation.

Commenting on the war in Ukraine, she criticised Russia’s military actions and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. She called on Moscow to stop the killing of civilians and emphasised the importance of respecting national sovereignty, peace and international law.

She added that Germany and other European countries remained committed to supporting Ukraine through political, economic and humanitarian assistance.

During the interactive session, journalists raised questions about Pakistan-Germany relations, educational opportunities, regional security and international affairs. The ambassador highlighted the importance of media engagement, academic exchanges and people-to-people contacts in strengthening relations between the two countries.

Earlier, Lepel was welcomed at the National Press Club by its President Abdur Razzaq Sial, Secretary Furqan Rao and other office-bearers and senior journalists.

She also visited different sections of the press club and planted a sapling on its premises as a gesture of friendship and commitment to environmental sustainability.

The NPC president thanked the ambassador for engaging with the media community and expressed hope that cooperation between Pakistan and Germany would continue to grow.