Pakistan-Austria Relations: Investment, Trade & Bilateral Ties Strengthened | PM Shehbaz Visit 2024

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna, Austria, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, beginning a two-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties and securing investment for Pakistan’s economy. He was greeted at Vienna International Airport by a contingent of the Austrian Armed Forces who presented a salute, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sharif’s visit, the first by a Pakistani Prime Minister to Austria in over 30 years – since 1992 – comes at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. Discussions with Chancellor Stocker are expected to center on trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation, the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Alongside bilateral discussions, Sharif is scheduled to meet with leaders from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). These meetings will address deepening cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, counter-narcotics efforts, crime control, and sustainable industrial development, Sharif indicated in a post on X.

A high-level delegation accompanies the Prime Minister, including Ishaq Dar, Attaullah Tarar, Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Amna Baloch. The delegation’s presence underscores the importance Pakistan places on these engagements.

The visit aims to bolster economic cooperation, trade, and investment between Pakistan and Austria, as well as explore opportunities in education. The Foreign Office announced the visit on February 15, 2026, highlighting its significance for regional diplomacy.

Sharif described Vienna as a “city of history, culture, and global diplomacy” upon his arrival, signaling the importance of Austria as a diplomatic hub. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the Pakistani delegation received a warm welcome upon arrival.