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New Zealand's relations with Pakistan have historically been friendly but slight. As a member of the Commonwealth, New Zealand was party to the Commonwealth Heads of Government decision to readmit Pakistan to the Councils of the Commonwealth following the resumption of democratic civilian rule in May 2008.
The Ambassador in Tehran is accredited to Islamabad as High Commissioner to Pakistan. Mr Moin Fudda, General Manager of Commercial Union in Pakistan, is New Zealand’s Honorary Consul-General in Karachi. Mr Fudda was awarded the ONZM in 2002 for his services to New Zealand in Pakistan.
Then Foreign Minister Kasuri visited New Zealand in May 2005, followed by President Musharraf in June 2005. The Pakistan High Commission opened in Wellington in mid 2006. The last visit to Pakistan by a New Zealand Minister was by Hon Phil Goff in 2007, when he opened an environmental project on ‘waste to energy’ at the Landhi Cattle Colony’. The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Murray McCully met Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi in the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2009.
New Zealand trade with Pakistan is modest totalling NZ$153.7 million. Exports for the year to December 2009 were NZ$92.75 million (dairy products including milks, cheese and curd; machinery; wood pulp; fats and oils, sheep skins) and imports were NZ$60.93 million (bed linen, furnishings, man-made staple fibres, cotton fabric, apparel).
Agriculture and education are key areas for future growth in the trade and economic relationship. New Zealanders are involved in the development of Pakistan’s dairy industry, and more than 110 Pakistani students are currently studying in New Zealand on Pakistani Government post graduate scholarships.
New Zealand and Pakistan held inaugural Foreign Ministry Consultations in Islamabad on 19 September 2006. New Zealand is scheduled to host the next round of consultations in June this year.
A small bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) program is provided by New Zealand through the Head of Mission Fund. This has included providing funding for water pumps in remote villages, medical equipment, micro-credit funding, and assistance to some schools.
New Zealand has contributed emergency relief to Pakistan, including $500,000 flood relief assistance to UNHCR in July 2007, $2.25million to various agencies following the 2005 earthquake, and $1 million to assist the Government of Pakistan provide for more than 2.5 million internally displaced people following fighting in the Swat valley in April-May 2009.
In addition to these humanitarian grants, the New Zealand Government has contributed over $900,000 to NGO programmes in Pakistan since 2004 and in 2009. Outside of government channels, community groups such as Lions and Rotary also fund projects in Pakistan.
New Zealand has expressed its concerns over human rights standards in Pakistan, both bilaterally and multilaterally on a number of occasions.
Sporting links have raised the profile of each country in the other though a visit to Pakistan in 2008 by the New Zealand cricket team was cancelled by the ICC on security grounds. The Pakistan cricket team played New Zealand at the World 20-20 tournament (UK), Champions’ Trophy (South Africa) and in a three-match 50-over series in Abu Dhabi this year. Both the Under 19 and national cricket teams toured New Zealand over this summer.top of page
Official Name - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Land Area – 803,940 sq km
Population – 181.4 million (Economist estimate 2009)
Capital City - Islamabad - Religion Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi’a 205)
Language - English (official), Urdu (national)
Political system – federal parliamentary system
National government - Coalition government led by the Pakistan People’s party (PPP)
Last election – parliamentary elections in April 2008, presidential elections in September 2008
Head of State - President HE Mr Asif Ali Zardari
Head of Government – Prime Minister HE Syed Yousef Raza Gilani
GDP (at current prices) US$166.5 Billion (2009, estimate)
GDP Per Capita at purchasing power parity US$519.5 (2009)
Real GDP Growth 3.7% (2009)
Exports US$23.6 billion
Imports US$33.3 billion (2009)
Main exports – garments, cotton cloth and yarn, rice
Inflation 13.6% (YOY 2009)
Unemployment rate 15.2%
Total external debt US$51.3 billion (30.8% GDP). Figures are based on Economist reporting and estimates, January 2010.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Pakistan [external link].
Enquiries may be directed to Consular Division at the following numbers: Ph: +64 4 439 8000; Fax: +64 4 439 8532.top of page
