Switzerland recognised Pakistan's independence immediately after it was announced. The two states established diplomatic relations in 1949. In 1966 they signed a technical cooperation agreement, which was supplemented in 1975 by an agreement on disaster aid. When Pakistan was declared a priority country for development cooperation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation opened a coordination office in Islamabad in 1977.

During the Bangladesh conflict between India and Pakistan (1971), Switzerland represented the interests of Pakistan in India and those of India in Pakistan. In the 1970s and 1980s, Switzerland concluded several debt-rescheduling agreements with Pakistan.

Today Pakistan is an important partner for Switzerland in Asia. A number of economic agreements have facilitated business activity. Development cooperation continues to play an important role.