ISLAMABAD: Pakistan stepped up its diplomatic engagements with key international partners as Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with a European Union commissioner, and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev visited Islamabad Police Lines.
Oman’s foreign minister arrived on October 13 to participate in the eighth session of the Pakistan–Oman Joint Ministerial Commission.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, industry, education, labour, defence and other sectors.
During the visit, Al Busaidi is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to review relations and explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar met European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner to discuss Pakistan–European Union relations, particularly migration and mobility.
The discussions focused on combating irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking, while expanding legal migration opportunities for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals seeking employment in European countries.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to address irregular migration and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union.
The European commissioner acknowledged Pakistan’s progress and the potential for expanding legal migration pathways.
In a separate diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on October 12.
The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism and cooperation at the United Nations.
Separately, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev visited Islamabad Police Lines on October 13 as part of his four-day visit to Pakistan.
Accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Russian minister reviewed a police parade, received a salute from special units and attended a ceremony featuring the national anthems of Pakistan and Russia.
Kolokoltsev also visited the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, where a Federal Constabulary contingent presented a salute.
He laid flowers at the Martyrs’ Memorial in honour of personnel who lost their lives in service.
The Russian interior minister arrived in Pakistan on October 12 at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
His visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in internal security and law enforcement.
The diplomatic engagements reflect Pakistan’s continued efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf countries, the European Union, African partners and Russia through political dialogue, economic cooperation and institutional engagement.