Ambassador Baloch Emphasizes People-to-People Ties
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan's Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, highlighted the multifaceted relations between Pakistan and France, as well as the wider Francophone world, during an event held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Paris on January 17, 2026. Addressing the Association of Pakistani Francophone Professionals (PPRF), Ambassador Baloch articulated that while governments establish frameworks and agreements, it is the individuals—including professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders—who truly animate and strengthen bilateral relationships.
The Ambassador commended the PPRF for its dedication to fostering professional networking and cultural exchanges between Francophone Pakistanis and French society, thereby enhancing people-to-people connections between the two nations.
A History of Robust Bilateral Engagement
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and France were formally established in 1947, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership. The relationship is characterized by cooperation across various sectors, including political, trade, economic, defense, education, and culture. In a significant development, a Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation was signed in February 2023 during the 14th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Paris, outlining future collaboration in areas such as political exchanges, economic relations, science, technology, education, culture, defense, security, counter-terrorism, migration, and climate change.
Economic ties have seen substantial growth, with bilateral trade surpassing the $2 billion mark, notably tilted in Pakistan's favor. France has also been a crucial partner in defense, providing Pakistan with military equipment, including Mirage fighters and submarine technology, since 1967. Furthermore, the French Development Agency (AFD) has been actively involved in Pakistan since 2007, offering soft loans and assistance across various sectors.
Ambassador's Role in Strengthening Ties
Ambassador Baloch officially assumed her role in January 2025 and presented her credentials to French President Emmanuel Macron on March 7, 2025, at the Élysée Palace. During this ceremony, she conveyed greetings from Pakistan's leadership and expressed Pakistan's commitment to expanding bilateral ties across political, economic, scientific, educational, and cultural domains, alongside promoting people-to-people contacts. Her engagements have also included interactions with the Pakistani diaspora and media in Paris, underscoring their vital role in promoting Pakistan's perspective and culture within French society.
5 Comments
BuggaBoom
Trade tilted in Pakistan's favor? That sounds unsustainable for France in the long run.
Noir Black
All talk, no real action. These diplomatic events rarely translate to tangible benefits for common people.
ZmeeLove
Mirage fighters from 1967? Is that really a sign of current strong defense ties or just historical legacy?
Eugene Alta
This partnership across so many sectors shows real commitment and progress.
Africa
Promoting people-to-people connections is a great initiative, however, past incidents of strained relations show how quickly public sentiment can shift, requiring constant effort.