Pakistan, Norway reaffirm commitment to strengthen bilateral relations 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Norway have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and widen cooperation in several areas, as the two countries held their highest-level engagement in the past ten years on Thursday.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide first met in a restricted-format session before heading their respective delegations in formal talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a restricted-format meeting with H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.

DPM/FM warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Espen Eide to Pakistan.… pic.twitter.com/JsWI11khxq

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026

The discussions covered the entire range of bilateral relations, alongside detailed exchanges on regional and global issues of shared concern.

During the formal delegation-level meeting, both sides examined prospects for greater collaboration in trade, investment, climate action, maritime affairs and education.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, led delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides reviewed the whole gamut… pic.twitter.com/2yrfD8Lm0b

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026

The two sides also acknowledged the significant role played by the Pakistani community in Norway and agreed to promote stronger people-to-people links to further bring the two societies closer.

Islamabad and Oslo expressed satisfaction with the friendly and constructive nature of their existing relationship and agreed to build on it by expanding cooperation in mutually beneficial fields.

Speaking at a joint press conference following the talks, Foreign Minister Eide pointed to the longstanding connections between Pakistan and Norway and noted that a sizeable Pakistani community has made Norway its home.

He said Norwegian businesses were also active in Pakistan and were playing a role in supporting the country's development as well as its economic progress.

The Norwegian foreign minister praised Pakistan for its efforts to promote peace at both the regional and international levels, saying the country's initiatives had received recognition from the international community.

FM Eide cautioned that continuing tensions in the region posed a danger to global stability and could also undermine economic growth. At the same time, he commended Pakistan for what he described as a courageous position during a difficult period.

He also praised Islamabad's constructive role during the recent US-Iran conflict and acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Dar reiterated Pakistan's determination to further develop its relationship with Norway and expand joint efforts in areas of common interest.

Earlier on Thursday, FM Espen Barth Eide arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit, which represents the highest-level contact between Pakistan and Norway in a decade.

Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Ayesha Ali received the Norwegian foreign minister upon his arrival at Islamabad airport.

H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide (@EspenBarthEide), Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, arrived in Islamabad this morning on an official visit to Pakistan. He was received at the airport by Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Amb. Ayesha Ali. pic.twitter.com/Wa502xiHKD

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 13, 2026

The Norwegian FM is undertaking the visit at the invitation of DPM Ishaq Dar. 

As per the FO, the visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding and cordial ties between Pakistan and Norway while identifying fresh opportunities for cooperation that could benefit both countries.

Earlier, the FO said that discussions would focus on increasing bilateral trade and investment ties, cooperation on climate change and renewable energy, education and stronger people-to-people connections while the two sides will also exchange views on major regional and international developments.