FES in Pakistan

The cooperation between Pakistani organizations and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) began in the middle of the 1980s. In 1990, FES established its own Pakistan Office in Islamabad. While the form of partnership has changed over the years, the basic aims and objectives of the cooperation have not. Since the very beginning, FES aims at promoting the exchange and understanding between Pakistan and Germany, South Asia and Europe.

Parliamentary democracy, the protection of human rights, a free press, the separation of powers, and a soundly-based rule of law are not simply western values and principles but shared by the democratic forces in Asia including Pakistan as well. FES therefore promotes programmes and activities aimed at establishing and strengthening civil society and reinforcing democratic government institutions. Special emphasis is put on contributing to a constructive discussion of conflictive issues and a peaceful settlement of disputes between different interest groups in the society. FES wants to build bridges between the civil society and the powers of the state.