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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker reaffirmed the long-standing historical ties between their countries and expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, especially in economic cooperation, trade, and investment, the Foreign Office said in a statement released after the PM&#39;s visit to Austria.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both the leaders noted the potential between the two countries to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, hospitality, education, IT, healthcare and human resource development and mobility and in this regard they agreed to work for the early finalization of various Memoranda of Understanding under consideration related to these areas,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;During the meeting, both sides took stock of developments at the global level and agreed on the central role of the United Nations in addressing the challenges of peace and security, sustainable development and promotion of human rights.&nbsp;The visit marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between Austria and Pakistan, with both countries expressing their unwavering support for multilateralism and a rule-based global order, underpinned by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and further enhancing their collaboration to strengthen the UN system. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2023733818126164383&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3cf33467196594088ea070effbcfeb5a82e85041&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 898px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;The Federal Chancellor of Austria and the Prime Minister of Pakistan also co-chaired a forum of leading Austrian and Pakistani companies. It was agreed to further enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation through existing and future frameworks, building on the established mechanisms of dialogue,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;PM Sharif invited Austrian businesses to participate in the upcoming EU-Pakistan Business Forum, to be held in Islamabad in April, and also invited Federal Chancellor Stocker to visit Pakistan.

Foreign Affairs

PM Shehbaz Sharif met with the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, reaffirm historic ties, and pledge enhanced bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, healthcare, IT, tourism, and UN-led global initiatives.

Pakistan-Austria leaders reaffirm bilateral ties, vow to expand economic cooperation: Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a two-day state visit as Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a wide-ranging set of agreements&nbsp;aimed&nbsp;at boosting bilateral trade to $2 billion over the next five years and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, according to an official statement.&nbsp;Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and business leaders, was welcomed at Nur Khan Airbase with a red-carpet reception. A 21-gun salute was fired, while a contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces presented a guard of honor. Children in traditional dresses waved the national flags of both countries and presented floral bouquets to the visiting leader.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted the Uzbek president, describing the visit as an opportunity to &ldquo;further strengthen the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and translate political understanding into concrete economic outcomes.&rdquo;&nbsp;The visit comes amid intensified regional engagement by Islamabad, following the 10th session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission earlier this week, where both sides agreed on a time-bound plan to expand trade, investment and regional connectivity. It also follows a high-level visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, underscoring Pakistan&rsquo;s broader push to deepen economic links with Central Asian partners.&nbsp;During talks at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s House, Sharif and Mirziyoyev signed a bilateral trade and economic cooperation agreement, committing both sides to raise trade volumes to $2 billion within five years. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of 28 agreements and memoranda of understanding spanning trade and investment, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, mining, energy, education, culture, disaster management and maritime cooperation.&nbsp;Key accords included a defense cooperation action plan, agreements on preferential trade, maritime connectivity through Karachi, Gwadar and Port Qasim, cooperation in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food security, digital technologies, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as the establishment of a Pakistan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum and a Joint Business Council to strengthen business-to-business ties.&nbsp;In remarks to the media, Sharif praised Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s role in advancing regional peace and development, saying:&nbsp;&ldquo;I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations on [your] being awarded the highest civil award of Pakistan, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for your great services and contribution to strengthen our brotherly relations and your commitment to convert these friendly relations into economic cooperation, trade and investment.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif also highlighted the shared historical and cultural bonds between the two countries, noting:&nbsp;&ldquo;The Mughal legacy from the valley of Fergana and the intellectual luminaries of Samarkand and Bukhara have marked Pakistan&rsquo;s history. These historical facts provide a very sound foundation for our durable relations and a very bright future.&rdquo;&nbsp;The leaders inaugurated the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, a new mechanism designed to ensure implementation of bilateral decisions. They also discussed regional connectivity initiatives, including the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project, which Sharif described as &ldquo;a game changer, not only for our countries but for the entire region.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We have agreed to constitute a joint working group to chart out a five-year plan covering all spheres of economic activity, with quarterly reviews to ensure tangible results,&rdquo; Sharif said.&nbsp;As part of the visit, the two leaders unveiled plaques for Tashkent Street and Babur Park in Islamabad. Mirziyoyev also visited Global Industrial &amp; Defense Solutions, where he met Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss defense cooperation.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the visit as a milestone, saying,&nbsp;&ldquo;Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;This is President Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s second visit to Pakistan in four years, reflecting what officials describe as the upward trajectory of bilateral relations, anchored in shared history and an expanding economic and strategic partnership across Central and South Asia.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev begins two-day state visit as Islamabad and Tashkent sign 28 agreements, pledging to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion and expand cooperation across key sectors.

Pakistan, Uzbekistan seal 28 deals, target $2B trade expansion

Leaders sign wide-ranging agreements on security, connectivity, climate action and technology, marking the first Kazakh presidential visit to Pakistan in over two decades and signalling deeper regional engagement.

Pakistan, Kazakhstan forge strategic partnership, target $1 billion trade expansion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, stating that a final decision is expected to be taken either on Friday or next Monday. Naqvi wrote on his X, &ldquo;Had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table.&rdquo; The chairman of PCB further added &ldquo;It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2015760606700409207&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4ac4e8abe2a399a2a61c0f871cc0a2501873e317&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 763px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> The development comes amid growing questions over Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in the tournament after the ICC decided to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/scotland-replace-bangladesh-in-t20-world-cup-2026-after-icc-decision" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">replace</a>&nbsp;Bangladesh with Scotland. Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after refusing to tour India due to safety concerns stemming from strained political relations between the two countries, ahead of the scheduled to begin next month, according to ICC. The governing ICC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/icc-rejects-bangladeshs-plea-to-play-t20-world-cup-matches-outside-india" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">rejected</a>&nbsp;Bangladesh&rsquo;s request to move their matches to tournament co-host Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the decision earlier this month, following the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders&#39; (KKR) release of experienced Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, at the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on Feb. 7, with Pakistan originally set to open their campaign against the Netherlands, according to ESPN cricinfo.&nbsp;Pakistan are drawn in &lsquo;Group A&rsquo; alongside India, the Netherlands, the USA and Namibia, with all of their group matches to be played in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model. Pakistan are due to face the USA on Feb. 10, followed by the much-anticipated clash against India on Feb. 15, before concluding the group stage against Namibia on Feb. 18.&nbsp;If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals and final, both matches are slated to be played in Colombo. Otherwise, the knockout fixtures will take place in Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed PM Shehbaz Sharif on T20 World Cup 2026 participation, with a final decision expected Friday or Monday, amid Bangladesh’s replacement by Scotland.

Pakistan T20 World Cup participation decision expected soon; Naqvi briefs PM Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to lead high-level Pakistani delegation to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 from January 20 to 22, said the Prime Minister Office on its official Facebook.&nbsp;The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other senior officials. During the visit, PM Sharif is set to participate in a series of substantive engagements aimed at strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s global economic and diplomatic outreach.&nbsp;As part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-to-attend-world-economic-forum-in-davos-next-week-organizers" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">WEF program</a>, the prime minister will take part in the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders session titled &ldquo;Restoring a Spirit of Dialogue in a Divided World.&rdquo; He will also host and chair a Pakistan-specific High-Level Business Roundtable, engaging with leading international corporate executives to highlight investment opportunities in Pakistan. The premier is expected to hold interactions with several world leaders and prominent business executives. He will articulate Pakistan&rsquo;s perspective on global and regional peace and development, while underscoring the government&rsquo;s vision, reforms, and achievements in the areas of economy, trade, and investment. The World Economic Forum&#39;s annual meeting brings together political leaders, business executives, heads of international organizations, and civil society representatives to deliberate on the world&#39;s key geopolitical, economic, social, and environmental challenges.

During the visit, the prime minister will participate in a series of substantive engagements to strengthen Pakistan’s global economic and diplomatic outreach.

PM Sharif to focus on global, regional peace in Davos 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered stronger, technology-driven measures to combat human trafficking and illegal migration, stressing that legal overseas travel for Pakistani citizens must be safeguarded through improved systems and coordination.&nbsp;Chairing a high-level meeting, the prime minister reviewed actions taken against illegal migration, including the misuse of work, visit and tourist visas, as well as offloading and deportation cases that contribute to irregular movement to European countries, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO).&nbsp;The meeting was informed that steps are underway to activate the e-gates system at airports, while artificial intelligence is being introduced to detect and prevent illegal travel.&nbsp;&ldquo;Full use of technology to improve the immigration system is the need of the hour,&rdquo; PM Sharif said, underscoring the importance of modern tools in curbing trafficking networks and irregular migration.&nbsp;He also directed authorities to further improve the Protectorate of Emigrants&#39; performance and emphasized closer coordination between the Federal Investigation Agency and other relevant institutions.&nbsp;The objective, he said, is to ensure that Pakistani citizens traveling abroad legally for employment do not face unnecessary hurdles.&nbsp;According to the PMO, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and senior government officials.

Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered technology-driven measures, including AI and e-gates, to curb human trafficking, prevent illegal migration, and ensure smooth legal overseas travel.

Pakistan PM orders tech-driven crackdown on human trafficking, illegal migration

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for a decisive and collective effort to tackle HIV in Pakistan, warning that rising infections and limited treatment coverage demand &ldquo;immediate, coordinated and compassionate action.&rdquo;&nbsp;In his message on World AIDS Day, the prime minister stressed that the government is prioritizing prevention, testing and treatment services, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. He said stigma and discrimination remain among the biggest barriers to care, urging society to &ldquo;support, not isolate&rdquo; people living with HIV.&nbsp;The prime minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to achieving global targets to ensure that those most at risk can access timely diagnosis and lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. &ldquo;No one should be left behind,&rdquo; he said, noting that improved awareness, public engagement, and stronger health systems are essential for reversing the trend.&nbsp;He highlighted the need to expand early testing, increase treatment uptake, and ensure that essential medicines reach all parts of the country. The prime minister also underscored ongoing work with provincial governments and development partners to strengthen the national HIV response and enhance community-based services. In April, a UNDP-supported Global Fund report warned that Pakistan could face a wider public health crisis if testing and treatment rates do not accelerate. According to the report, around 290,000 Pakistanis are living with HIV. Yet only 23% know their status, and just 15% are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment, a gap the prime minister described as &ldquo;deeply concerning.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report noted improvements in prevention outreach, with community-led sites expanded to 53 locations and mobile services reaching thousands of people. However, it emphasized that low treatment enrollment and poor retention in care continue to undermine national efforts.&nbsp;As Pakistan marks World AIDS Day, the prime minister called for unity and compassion, saying the fight against HIV is &ldquo;not only a public health challenge but a test of our commitment to dignity, justice and human rights.&rdquo;&nbsp;He urged citizens, communities, and institutions to work together to build a healthier and more inclusive society where people living with HIV can access care without fear or prejudice.

Health

In his message on World AIDS Day, the prime minister says the government is prioritizing prevention, testing and treatment services, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Articles tagged with "PM Shehbaz Sharif"