Pakistan, Norway agree to boost trade, investment, maritime ties

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Norway FM address joint presser in Islamabad: Says they agreed on joint approach to tackle human smuggling: Norway FM commends Islamabad’s role in defusing US-Iran tensions

Published: 10:15 AM, 13 Aug, 2026
Pakistan
Pakistan, Norway agree to boost trade, investment, maritime ties
Caption: TV grab

Pakistan and Norway have agreed to undertake steps to enhance their relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, education, defence, climate change, information technology and maritime affairs, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

An understanding to this effect was reached during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Islamabad on Thursday.

Pakistan and Norway also evolved a consensus for working together to tackle the issue of human smuggling, as their foreign ministers held formal talks in Islamabad.

Later, in a joint press stakeout, the Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan greatly values its relations with Norway and looks forward to further strengthening them. He said both sides agreed that their bilateral trade is below the potential of two economies and there is a need to enhance it through effective measures.

Ishaq Dar said Pakistan offers enormous investment opportunities to Norwegian companies. He said a renowned Norwegian company Yara International, is establishing a joint venture in plant nutrition with Fauji Fertilizer Company in Pakistan. He hoped this initiative would be a trailblazer for many more future projects between the two countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that our technology partnership with Norway is a success story and highlighted five-fold increase in Pakistan's IT exports to Norway.

Ishaq Dar said the two sides have agreed on the expeditious finalization of various agreements and MOUs between the two countries. He said they were grateful to Norway's maritime authorities for their support in capacity building and providing technical training for Pakistan's shipbreaking industry.

The Deputy Prime Minister said both countries have also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts. He said labour mobility was also a key area that was discussed and the two sides agreed to continue work on legal pathways for Pakistan's skilled manpower.

He said both countries share a commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes. 

Ishaq Dar said that he also briefed the Norwegian Foreign Minister on the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said India has brought a new dimension to an already volatile situation by unilaterally announcing the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty in contravention of international law. He reiterated that India must end the weaponization of water and uphold its treaty obligations.

In his remarks on the occasion, the Norwegian Foreign Minister maintained that the partnership between Pakistan and Norway is strong. He commended Pakistan's important and constructive role during the recent Iran-US conflict. He said the efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are really a service to the world.

Delegation-level talks

Ishaq Dar and Espen Barth Eide led delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad during which both sides reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education.

They recognized the important role of the Pakistani diaspora in Norway and agreed to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the warm and cordial state of Pakistan-Norway relations and agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

They also held in depth discussions on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister commended Pakistan’s important and constructive role during the recent Iran-US conflict, including the leadership and contributions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Dar welcomes Espen Eide at Foreign Ministry

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday welcomed Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad for bilateral talks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Norwegian foreign minister’s visit marked the highest-level visit between Pakistan and Norway in a decade.

Earlier, Espen Barth Eide arrived in Islamabad Thursday morning on an official visit to Pakistan.

The Norwegian foreign minister was received at the airport by Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Ayesha Ali.

Reporter Anwer Abbas

More to follow.....

Categories : Pakistan Tags :

News Desk