Vienna, Austria – February 17, 2026- During his official two-day visit to Austria, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a notable speech and engaged in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening both economic and strategic partnerships between Pakistan and Austria. This marks the first official visit by a Pakistani Prime Minister to Austria in over three decades (since Nawaz Sharif’s 1992 visit) and coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Pakistan-Austria Business Forum Highlights
The key speech occurred at the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum, organized by the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO), where PM Sharif addressed business leaders, investors, and attendees.
• Focus on economic opportunities: He highlighted Pakistan’s young population of 240 million, with 60% under a certain age bracket, describing it as a major asset for sectors like IT, AI, renewable energy, agriculture (including citrus value-addition), mining, textiles, and human resource development.
• Invitation to Austrian companies: Austrian firms were invited to invest and partner in Pakistan, with PM Sharif citing successful collaborations, such as Austrian involvement in cable cars in Murree and the mining/minerals sector.
• Broader context: PM Sharif stressed Pakistan’s commitment to combating illegal immigration in partnership with European countries, and positioned Pakistan as “open for business” to enable sustainable growth and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Bilateral Engagements and Delegation-Level Talks
PM Sharif held bilateral talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Federal Chancellery, where he received a guard of honour, reviewed it, and signed the guest book. He also co-chaired a high-level business meeting and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and multilateral engagement, given Vienna’s role as host to key UN and international organizations.
Positive Diplomacy Feedback
Chancellor Christian Stocker shared a video on his official Instagram account of PM Sharif delivering remarks in German, praising his impressive command of the language and engagement with Austrian business and political circles.
Strategic and Economic Significance
The visit underscores Pakistan’s growing diplomatic momentum in Europe, portraying the country as an attractive partner for trade, investment, and technological collaboration. The engagement aims to pave the way for deeper institutional linkages between the two nations and strengthen Pakistan’s footprint within the European Union.
Follow-Up Initiatives
Officials indicated that subsequent activities will include joint projects in IT and renewable energy, educational exchanges, and facilitation for Austrian companies seeking to enter the Pakistani market. The trip represents a milestone in Pakistan-Austria relations, highlighting both countries’ commitment to sustainable growth and mutually beneficial cooperation.
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