1. Pakistan and the Netherlands
enjoy friendly relations. Bilateral diplomatic relations were established on
28th February 1948. The Dutch embassy with its seat at Karachi was established
in Pakistan by a Royal decree on 14th July 1948. During the first few years a
charge. d Affairs (a.i) Mr. M.P.M. van Karebeek (1948-1950) was appointed. In
1954, the Netherlands and Pakistan started to exchange ambassadors. On 11th
January 1955, the first Dutch Ambassador, Dr. J. G. de Benus (1954- 1957),
presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Pakistan Mr. Ghulam
Muhammad. The Dutch embassy was later moved to Islamabad in 1967.
2. Meanwhile, in August 1950
Pakistan opened its Embassy in the Hague. On 21st August 1950. Mr.S. Lal Shah
Bokhari arrived in the Netherlands as charge d Affairs (a.). In September 1954,
the first Pakistani Ambassador Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan came to the Hague
and presented her credentials to Her Majesty the Queen Juliana on 20th
September 1954.
3. In 1953, the Netherlands was
inundated by sea water. Pakistan galvanized the entire nation to help the Dutch
people and donated 2000 kgs of Tea to the Netherlands. Pakistan's support to
the Dutch in 1953 has been widely recognized by the senior generation and in
2003, the Dutch Prime Minister officially sent a letter acknowledging
Pakistan's support. During the 2010 floods in Pakistan, the Dutch Government
provided US$4 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), for buying and
transporting food packages to some 6 million people in Pakistan. In the wake of
last year's unprecedented floods, the Dutch government has provided US$3.5
million through different streams to Pakistan and is helping through water
management experts.
4. Since 2004, the Netherlands
has hosted more than 150 junior diplomats from Pakistan who have received
training there.
5. Pakistan and the Netherlands
have institutionalized their relationship by establishing the mechanism of
Bilateral Political Consultations since 2010. The upgraded 10th Session, at the
level of Foreign Secretaries, was held in the Hague.
6. The Netherlands has become the
second largest export destination for Pakistan's exports in the EU and major
source of net Foreign Direct Investment. During FY 2022.
bilateral trade reached US$2.24
billion out of which Pakistani exports were US$1,735 million and imports. were
US$507.9 million. Total Foreign Direct investment inflow from the Netherlands
was US$305.8 million. In FY 2022, Pakistan's top commodities exported to the
Netherlands included Textile, apparels, cotton, ethanol, leather, travel goods,
beverages, cereals, sports, equipment and footwear.
7. More than 80 Dutch companies
are operating in Pakistan. The major investments are in the sector of Food
& Beverage, Electronics, Trade, Finance, Textile, Pharmaceuticals, and
others. Engro Foods/Chemicals. Veon, AkzoNobel and Royal Vopak are some of the
biggest names of Dutch FDI in Pakistan.
8. Pakistan and the Netherlands
are celebrating 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
in 2023. The two countries share a rich history of bilateral co-operation in a
wide range of areas including Political, Economic, Trade and investments,
Climate Change, Education and Culture.
9. Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp on this auspicious occasion on 2nd November 2023. It features Tulip, the National Flower of the Netherlands which is also widelygrown in Pakistan, highlighting the beauty of the growing relations between the two Nations.
