Pakistan–Switzerland relations

Pakistan and Switzerland have always enjoyed been long-standing cordial, friendly and multi-facted ties.^[1][2][3] Pakistan has embassy in Bern, whereas Switzerland has embassy in Islamabad, a Consulate-General in Karachi and an honorary consulate in Lahore.

Bilateral Agreements

Pakistan and Switzerland have signed several agreements, which include an agreement on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, the avoidance of double taxation, air traffic, technical and scientific cooperation.^[4]

Economic relations

Both countries share over six decades of friendship, and have cooperated closely in several fields.^[5] Switzerland ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan and a reliable trading partner, the Swiss based multinational companies have invested 1.2 billion dollars in Pakistan, in various sectors including food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery and engineering, banking. thus providing jobs for over 10,000 Pakistanis. Recently, the Swiss Business Council has also opened in Karachi. Switzerland has been a keen observer at meetings of the Friends of Pakistan.^[6][7] Currently, there are a small number of Pakistani scientists who work at CERN in Geneva.

People Traffic

Pakistanis form one of the largest Muslim immigrant communities in Switzerland, numbering about 3,000, living predominantly in Zurich and Bern.^[8]

See also

• Pakistanis in Switzerland
• Kidnapping of Swiss tourists in Balochistan

References