President Asif Ali Zardari has told German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that Pakistan has no dispute with the Afghan people but will not allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan or violations of its sovereignty.
The issue of terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan and the transfer of Afghan nationals to Germany featured in talks between the two presidents during Zardari’s official visit to Berlin on October 23, 2026, according to a statement from the Pakistani President’s Office.
Steinmeier thanked Pakistan for cooperating in the verification of the identities of 500 Afghan nationals scheduled for transfer to Germany. Berlin also acknowledged Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people over the past four decades, the statement said.
Zardari reiterated Islamabad’s position that its security concerns were directed at preventing cross-border terrorism and protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty, rather than targeting the Afghan people. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to plan or launch attacks inside Pakistan.
The German President’s Office confirmed the meeting but did not release details of the discussion on Afghanistan.
The talks also took place against the backdrop of Germany’s review of arrangements for Afghan nationals awaiting relocation. The German government has faced questions over its commitments to Afghan applicants, including a group of around 640 people whose planned admission was reportedly halted in December 2025. Afghan families awaiting transfer to Germany have also faced prolonged uncertainty over the processing of their cases.
Zardari’s visit was the first by a Pakistani head of state to Germany in 23 years and coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Beyond Afghanistan and migration, the two presidents discussed avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, healthcare, climate resilience and defense.
The meeting underscored the challenge facing Pakistan and Germany as they seek to maintain cooperation on migration and humanitarian issues while addressing Islamabad’s security concerns over terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
