KARACHI, April 15: Germany's acting Consul-General IIelmust Honzheuer has said that his country has historical relationship with the people of Pakistan, particularly those living in Sindh.

The German people had deep relations with the people of Sindh in many areas and they were extremely interested in Sindhi language and culture, he said while addressing a group of faculty and staff members of the Sindh Madressahtul Islam (SMI) at its Jinnah Museum on Thursday.

He was of the view that many German scholars were connected with Sindh and its culture. He cited the name of Annemarie Schimmel, who had wished to be buried at Makli, a historic graveyard of Sindh.

He said Ms Schimmel's work for Sindh would strengthen ties between the people of this region and the Germans. He said that German University was collaborating with Karachi University in education sector and wished that such cooperation could also be enhanced among other institutions of the both countries in the near future.

To a question, he said that German education system was similar to that in Pakistan. "After primary and secondary education, students usually go for apprenticeship in Germany," he added. He said Germany was a multicultural country, where priority was given to cultivate respect for culture of each community, including those who belonged to Pakistan, India and other countries.

Talking about the Madressah, he said "I am very impressed to see SMI, which is a historical institute of learning in Sindh." SMI Principal Muhammad Ali Shaikh, in his welcome speech talked about intellectual and spiritual relationship of Germans with Sindh and its inhabitants.

"Ernest Triump was the first German, who translated Shah-Jo-Risalo into English. Besides, Elsa Kazi, who married Allama .I. Kazi, one of the great scholars and founder vice-chancellor of the Sindh University, was also a German lady," he said.

Earlier, the consul-general visited the Freedom Movement Gallery, Jinnah Museum and other historic buildings of the SMI and praised its Gothic-style architectural beauty. -APP