Oslo : 18 December marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Pakistan. Cooperation between Norway and Pakistan has shaped social development in both countries based on extensive people-to-people contact.
Norway’s engagement with Pakistan began with the first Norwegian-supported development projects in the early 1950s. In the decades that followed, Norway and Pakistan developed a close, ongoing dialogue on challenging regional issues.
The first Pakistani migrant workers arrived in Norway around 1970. They were the first non-Western immigrant group in Norway, quickly becoming the largest immigrant group in the country. In many ways, this was the beginning of Norway’s development into a more diverse country.
‘When we reflect on our shared history, we have much to celebrate and look forward to,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
‘I would like to commend the Norwegian-Pakistani community for their efforts to build successful lives in Norway and for their contributions to Norwegian society,’ said Mr Støre.
People-to-people ties gave rise to increased cooperation between Norway and Pakistan in the 1990s and 2000s. Thousands of Pakistani students have attended higher education institutions in Norway. Academic collaboration projects between institutions have helped to enhance competence in both countries.
Norway’s long-term aid efforts in Pakistan have helped to preserve important cultural heritage sites, promote education, and strengthen the rights of vulnerable groups in Pakistani society. Today, aid efforts also include measures to enhance food security, increase resilience to climate disasters, and improve climate adaptation.
Dialogue on climate-related challenges has become increasingly important for both countries. Norway was quick to provide humanitarian assistance in response to the two major flood disasters in Pakistan in recent decades. During the UN climate summit in 2022, the Prime Ministers of Norway and Pakistan co-chaired a roundtable on climate change and the sustainability of vulnerable communities.
This year, Norway and Pakistan have exchanged political visits at deputy minister level. Norway maintains a constructive dialogue with the Pakistani authorities both on matters of common interest and on issues where the countries have differing points of view.
‘The scope of our dialogue with Pakistan is becoming increasingly broad. We greatly value Pakistan’s perspectives on global issues and common challenges,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
The 75 years of diplomatic relations between Norway and Pakistan have influenced society in both countries and have better equipped Norway to navigate today’s more globalised world.