Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif led a high-level delegation to Riyadh from October 27 to 29 to attend the Ninth Future Investment Initiative Forum, where Pakistan diplomacy was on full display as leaders, investors and innovators gathered to discuss sustainable growth and inclusion.
In meetings with His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia launched a Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Economic Cooperation Framework aimed at strategic collaboration in energy, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture and food security. The two sides agreed to reconvene the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council and are considering new memoranda of understanding, including proposals for electricity interconnection and broader energy cooperation.
During the Riyadh visit, the Prime Minister met World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende and received an invitation to the 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held separate talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to reinforce multifaceted cooperation and address regional challenges, including the situation in Gaza. Dar also inaugurated an upgraded consular hall and One-Window MRP Service at the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh, underlining the government’s focus on improved services for overseas Pakistanis.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar continued intensive diplomacy through telephone discussions with counterparts in Algeria, Türkiye and Canada. In his exchange with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, agriculture and mining under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and Canada welcomed Pakistan’s facilitation of market access for Canadian canola exports. Talks with Algeria reinforced cooperation in multilateral forums, while the conversation with Turkey focused on the evolving situation in Gaza and Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Turkish-hosted ministerial meeting on peace efforts in Palestine.
The second round of Pakistan–Afghan Taliban talks, mediated by friendly nations, concluded in Istanbul on October 30 after four days of discussions. Pakistan reiterated that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan and called for verifiable actions against identified terrorist groups, including Fitna al-Khwarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan. Despite earlier cross-border tensions, Islamabad emphasized its commitment to peaceful coexistence, expressed appreciation for the constructive mediation by Qatar and Türkiye, and signaled hope for progress in the next round of talks scheduled for November 6.
Islamabad strongly condemned renewed violations of the Gaza Peace Agreement that resulted in civilian casualties, describing the attacks as a flagrant violation of international law and urging the international community to secure an immediate cessation of hostilities. Pakistan reiterated its principled support for an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital based on pre-1967 borders, a stance that remained central to Pakistan diplomacy this week.
The Third Session of the Pakistan–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue was held in Islamabad, co-chaired by DG Europe Irfan Ahmed and EU Deputy DG Home Johannes Luchner. The session reviewed outcomes from the 16th Joint Readmission Committee and the third Talent Partnership Roundtable, with both sides expressing satisfaction over progress under the EURA Agreement and committing to advance the Pakistan-EU Talent Partnership Roadmap for legal migration and labour mobility. Officials agreed to hold the next session in Brussels.
On October 27 Pakistan solemnly observed the 78th anniversary of Kashmir Black Day with seminars, exhibitions and solidarity walks at home and in diplomatic missions abroad, while senior leaders reaffirmed political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri right to self-determination under UN Security Council resolutions. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also addressed letters to UN and OIC leadership calling for urgent attention to alleged human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Separately, Islamabad offered humanitarian assistance and condolences to Türkiye after the 6.1 magnitude earthquake on October 28 and conveyed deep sympathy following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand, paying tribute to her humanitarian legacy. The week highlighted an active and action-oriented foreign policy as Pakistan diplomacy pushed economic partnerships, engaged constructively on Afghanistan, and advocated for peace and humanitarian relief across the region.
