A ‘Buddy Bear’ was installed in Quetta on Monday to celebrate the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Germany. The street previously called GPO Chowk, Quetta has been renamed as ‘Berlin Quetta Friendship Square’.

“The buddy bear is a symbol of the city of Berlin. With outstretched arms, it stands for peace, friendship and cooperation,” German Consul General in Karachi Rudiger Lotz said after the ceremony. “We are proud that the Buddy Bear as of now also is a citizen of the city of Quetta!”

Berlin Buddy Bears have become a landmark in many countries and are considered ambassadors of a cosmopolitan Germany. Buddy Bear’s features express the friendly ties between Germany and the host nation, uniting Berlin’s cheerfulness, diversity and creativity, according to a statement. They can be found standing at designated public spots all over the world with outstretched arms!

Muhammad Shahab Awan, a graduate of the University of BUITEMS Fine Arts, has painted the statue.

The German consul general in Karachi stressed the need for collective efforts to fight climate change.

“We are thankful that the intersection has been named Berlin Quetta Friendship Square,” he said and added that it was important for the friendly ties between the two states.

Buddy Bear reached Quetta after a long journey of 6,000 kilometres, according to Lotz.

The name-changing was carried out at the initiative of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Karachi along with the Honorary Consul of Germany Quetta in collaboration with Metropolitan Corporation Quetta.

“We are happy to bring the ambassador of Berlin to our city Quetta. The art on Buddy Bear not only reflects the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and Germany but also highlights the impacts of climate change,” Honorary Consul of Germany Quetta Mir Murad Baloch said.

He praised Germany for providing assistance for the people of Balochistan after torrential rains and flash floods in the province that caused significant loss of life and property.

The honorary consul general added the purpose of such a statue was to promote peace and friendship in memory of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“The people of Balochistan appreciate the generous support of the people of Germany. We are glad to [see] that Germany has contributed to the beauty of Quetta city with this piece of art,” Administrator of Metropolitan Corporation Quetta Jabbar Baloch stated.

Jabbar described the installation of the statue as “significant” after celebrations of 70 years of Pakistan-Germany ties.

“We are proud to install Pakistan’s first Buddy Bear in Quetta,” the administrator of Metropolitan Corporation said and added that it would enhance the beauty of Quetta.

As many as 16,000 statues of Buddy Bears have been installed around the world, Murad said and lauded Germany for providing scholarships to students from time to time. Such statues are also installed in Washington and New York.