What does the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) do in Pakistan? – Mehr News Agency Iranian and world news

Mehr News Agency, International – Pouria Lavai: German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) since year 2 1 It is active in Pakistan and responds to its development challenges by projects on renewable energy, professional training, support for asylum seekers and good governance. These activities, with the financial support of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Pakistan has become a key partner for Germany in South Asia. However, these projects pursue not only development goals, but also strategic interests in Germany such as soft influence, competition with China and immigration to Europe..

German International Cooperation Agency (Giz) He has started operating in Pakistan since the year and has established its national office in Islamabad for two years. This cooperation has been rooted in German -Pakistani development relations since year 5 and focuses on areas such as sustainable economic development, energy, good governance and support for asylum seekers. Giz With about 2 domestic employees and 5 international employees, projects for the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)The EU and other institutions run. These activities are in line with Pakistan’s national development strategies and UN sustainable development goals, addressing challenges such as climate change, unemployment and hosting of 1.5 million Afghan refugees. Giz He has implemented numerous projects in Pakistan, some of which are:

Promoting energy Renewable And energy productivity

Giz It cooperates with the Pakistani government to reduce the effects of climate change and promote fair transfer to sustainable energy. This includes advice on climatic financing, the implementation of the Paris agreement, and the promotion of zero carbon construction. Giz It also hosts platforms such as the Pakistan-Germany Renewable Energy Association.

Professional Education and Sustainable Employment

Giz He collaborates with government professional education institutions to improve the quality of education and coordinate programs with the job market needs. This project, especially, encourages women to enter into men’s businesses such as the automotive and handicraft industry The initiative has reduced unemployment rates among women and disadvantaged groups and improved job skills..

Support for Afghan refugees and host communities

Giz Provides services such as psychological and social support for Afghan asylum seekers and host communities. The project creates safe spaces for women and youth and teaches local experts to meet psychological needs.

Why should a German citizen taxation thousands of kilometers away from his home in Pakistan?

Apparently, Giz projects are an humanitarian response to Pakistan’s economic, climatic and social crises; But a more complex reality lies behind these aids. The German government, like many world powers, views “development aid” as a clever tool to consolidate strategic interests, political marketing and the consolidation of its geopolitical position.

First, European national security is a key driver for investment in Pakistan. European countries are concerned about illegal migration waves, especially on South Asia. By creating jobs and relative stability in areas such as Pakistan, Germany actually creates an invisible defensive wall against asylum seekers. This is of great importance given the population of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Second, Germany seeks to maintain its economic position in South Asia in close competition with China’s influential in the region, especially in the form of a massive CPEC project. GIZ energy and technical training projects are not only designed by Western standards, but also try to challenge the Chinese development model and provide space for more European companies.

Third, these projects are a good platform for promoting Western civilizational culture, values and software. Training in job skills, along with discourses such as “gender equality” or “good state-run”, is in fact an attempt to gradually consider the values of target societies with the liberal-west frameworks. It is a long -term investment in the cultural and soft playground that may lead to political dependence in the future.

Fourth, direct economic interests should not be ignored. With the implementation of Giz projects, in practice, German companies are paved into infrastructure, education, energy and technology markets in Pakistan. These projects are somehow hidden subsidies for German companies, which, without political pressure or boycott, are achieved through “friendly aid” to trade and market influence.

Fifth, some analysts believe Germany is still trying to rebuild its historical figure. The heritage of Nazism and the Second World War, especially among Muslim societies, has left a negative picture. “Development -oriented” activities in Islamic countries such as Pakistan can help redefine Germany as a peaceful power, supporting social justice and sustainable development.

Finally, Pakistan has a geopolitical position because of its neighborhood with Iran, Afghanistan, and its proximity to the Persian Gulf and even the Zionist regime, which is very important to Germany and its allies. Any instability in the country can have serious security consequences in West Asia and Europe. Therefore, German investment in Pakistan’s political and social stability is also part of an indirect strategy to maintain the desirable Western regional order.