PM Shehbaz to visit UK, US after tour to return Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to arrive in Pakistan today (Tuesday) following a two-week visit to the United Kingdom and the United States.

The prime minister departed Islamabad on September 16 and went to London, before going to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The main engagement of his tour was his address at the UNGA where he underlined Pakistan’s stance on regional security, water rights, global issues and the need for diplomatic efforts to promote peace.

Shehbaz arrived in London from New York a few days ago and was scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday morning, a source in the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn.

During his travel to New York, the prime minister was joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and top officials.

During his visit in the US, Shehbaz had a major discussion with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in which they discussed regional peace, bilateral collaboration and de-escalation in the Middle East.

The Iran-US confrontation, especially concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, also featured prominently in conversations among world leaders.

Shehbaz also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed climate change, Islamophobia and regional security.

The prime minister also met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency and leaders from Kenya and Austria. The talks covered economic cooperation, bilateral relations and multilateral issues.

The prime minister’s return will wrap up his lengthy diplomatic tour of the UK and US.