Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, is set to participate in the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development in Riyadh from April 28 to 29.
This was announced by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during her weekly media briefing, which unusually took place on Friday, instead of the routine schedule of Thursday. She said the invitation to the conference was extended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Prof Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of The World Economic Forum.
The FO said this event will afford Pakistan an important opportunity to present its priorities, specifically on global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration, and the need for striking balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.
Moreover, the PM will also visit Gambia on May 4 and 5 for the 15th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit. During the summit, he intends to address issues concerning the Muslim world, including the genocide in Gaza, the right of self-determination for the people of India-held Kashmir, rising Islamophobia and terrorism among other global issues. Additionally, Shehbaz is expected to highlight Pakistan's commitment to addressing humanitarian crises and advocating for the rights of oppressed communities.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to participate in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Gambia on May 2 and 3 where he is likely to meet with his counterparts from other Muslim countries.
Furthermore, the FO spokesperson said that work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is in progress.
In the context of recent diplomatic exchanges, the spokesperson noted Iranian president's visit to Pakistan from April 22 to 24, during which discussions on cooperation in various fields took place. She said the Pak-Iran bilateral relations were strong, and that Iran shared a unified stance on Gaza, with both countries condemning Israel's war crimes and advocating for an independent inquiry into the situation.
"Iran and Pakistan discussed cooperation in various fields, including the trade route of Gwadar and Chahbahar," she remarked.
Addressing regional concerns, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's stance on the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir at the international level. Expressing concern over the situation in Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan calls for the international community's attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Overall, Pakistan's diplomatic efforts underscore its commitment to advancing its foreign policy agenda, promoting peace, and advocating for justice on both regional and global platforms.
