I had the opportunity to visit Germany from 6 to 18 August 2026, and the experience left a lasting impression on me. Beyond its economic strength and modern infrastructure, what impressed me most was the behaviour of ordinary people, their respect for rules, peaceful way of life and willingness to help others.
During my stay, I found German society remarkably organised and peaceful. People generally respected one another’s space, followed established rules and understood that individual freedom comes with social responsibility. The importance given to law and public order was particularly noticeable. For me, these were not merely abstract ideas; I saw them in everyday life.
One incident particularly touched me. While travelling towards Switzerland, our car developed a mechanical problem. Almost everything around us was closed, and we were unsure how to resolve the situation. Some German people came forward and helped us. They did not know us personally, yet they took the time to assist us. For me, this was more than helping someone with a vehicle. It was a demonstration of humanity. It reminded me that civilisation is not only about tall buildings, advanced technology, strong economies or modern roads. True civilisation is reflected in how people behave when nobody is forcing them to help.
Another quality that impressed me was the culture of responsibility. Rules appear to be treated not merely as restrictions but as mechanisms that allow millions of people to live together peacefully. Following traffic regulations, maintaining public order and respecting other people’s rights creates predictability and trust.
This is an important lesson that Pakistan can learn from Germany—not to copy German culture completely, because every nation has its own history, traditions and values, but to learn from principles that can strengthen society.
We Pakistanis have a rich cultural and religious heritage. We value hospitality, family, generosity and helping others. However, we can become stronger if we combine these qualities with greater respect for rules, public responsibility and social discipline. We should understand that obeying the law is not a weakness; it is a sign of a civilised society. Waiting for one’s turn, following traffic rules, keeping public places clean, respecting other people’s rights and helping someone in difficulty are small actions—but collectively they can transform society.
This experience truly deepened my understanding of responsible citizenship. That experience gave me a simple lesson: humanity has no nationality. We do not need to become German to learn from Germany. We can remain proudly Pakistani while adopting values such as discipline, respect for law, civic responsibility, peaceful coexistence and compassion. My message to fellow Pakistanis is simple: let us live peacefully, respect rules, cooperate with one another and help people in need. If every citizen begins with small acts of responsibility and humanity, our society can gradually become more orderly, peaceful and prosperous. Germany showed me that civilisation is not simply about what a country possesses, but how its people behave with one another—and how they treat a stranger when he needs help.
—The writer is regular contributor based in Islamabad.
