Profit PAKISTAN, AUSTRIA AGREE TO DEEPEN BILATERAL COOPERATION In partnership with
Tuesday, 17 February, 2026 | 28 Sha’ban, 1447
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 224 | 48 Pages | Lahore Edition
PM SHEHBAZ, CHANCELLOR STOCKER HOLD TALKS TO BOOST TRADE, INVESTMENT, AND SECTORAL COOPERATION
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CEOS’ FORUM, MOUS SIGNAL PUSH FOR STRONGER BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT
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VIENNA
PAKISTAN, AUSTRIA REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO UN-CENTRED MULTILATERALISM PM VOWS JOINT ACTION WITH EUROPE TO CURB ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Mian abrar
AKISTAN and Austria on Monday agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in Vienna. The premier arrived in the Austrian capital a day earlier on a two-day official visit — the first by a Pakistani prime minister to Austria since 1992. He was received at the Federal Chancellery with a guard of honour, where the national anthems of both countries were played before delegation-level talks commenced. According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department (PID), the two leaders held a restricted meeting followed by detailed discussions between their respective delegations. The Pakistani side included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. Both leaders recalled the friendly and historic ties between the two countries and expressed commitment to expanding cooperation in economic collaboration, trade and investment, tourism, hospitality, education, information technology, healthcare, human resource development and mobility. They agreed to expedite the finalisation of
memoranda of understanding under consideration in these sectors. The prime minister and the chancellor also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate action and human rights protection. They reiterated their shared commitment to multilateralism and appreciated mutual support for each other’s candidatures at international forums. Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chancellor Stocker for what he described as mean-
ingful and productive engagements and invited him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. The two leaders co-chaired a meeting of chief executive officers from leading Austrian and Pakistani companies, agreeing to expand government-to-government, government-tobusiness and business-to-business cooperation through existing platforms. The prime minister invited Austrian firms to participate in the upcoming EUPakistan Business Forum scheduled to be held in Islamabad in April. During the visit, PM Shehbaz and Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
Vice President Carmen Goby witnessed the signing of an MoU between Pakistani and Austrian companies. In a post on X, the premier noted that the visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Austria, calling his meeting with Chancellor Stocker “warm and prproductive." Separately, addressing the Pakistan– Austria High-Level Business Roundtable in Vienna, the prime minister said Pakistan was working with European partners—including Austria, France and Germany—to jointly curb illegal immigration. He stressed that Pakistan opposed illegal migration and was committed to halting it in cooperation with European countries. He also assured Austria that Pakistan would meet its demand for skilled labour in accordance with international certification standards. Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic potential, Shehbaz said 60 per cent of the country’s population comprised youth who required modern skills, including IT and AI training. He pointed to opportunities for cooperation in mining, renewable energy and agriculture, noting that Austrian expertise could support value addition in Pakistan’s citrus sector for exports to Europe and beyond. The visit marks seven decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries and signals renewed momentum in bilateral engagement.
Sri Lanka lauds Pakistan's support, both sides pledge deeper security ties COLOMBO
staff report
Tarar warns PTI against road blockades, says Imran’s vision ‘stable’ ISLAMABAD
staff report
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar on Monday warned the PTI of possible action if roads are not reopened and sitins are not called off, while asserting that the party founder’s eyesight condition was stable. Speaking to reporters, the minister said that with eyeglasses, the PTI founder’s affected eye had 70 per cent vision, while the other eye maintained a healthy 6/6 vision. “There is nothing to worry about,” Tarar said. He added that a medical team had briefed opposition leaders as well as the PTI founder’s personal doctors regarding his health condition. Tarar urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to act in accordance with the Constitution and the law, calling on PTI leadership to ensure that roads in the province remain open. “I hope the KP government will not block roads at the government level,” he said, warning that the federal government could be compelled to take action if routes were not cleared. The law minister emphasised that political stability was essential for the country’s economic stability and urged all stakeholders to avoid measures that could disrupt public life.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday appreciated Pakistan’s support during “difficult times” as he met a visiting Pakistani delegation in Colombo. Sharing details of the meeting on X, the Sri Lankan president said he had met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain. “We reaffirmed our enduring friendship [and] appreciated Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka during difficult times,” he wrote. Dissanayake added that the Pakistani delegation conveyed special thanks from Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Sri Lanka’s timely intervention when Pakistan’s participation in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup had become uncertain. Days before the tournament, Pakistan had indicated it would not play its group-stage match against India following regional tensions and logistical changes. Subsequently, Sri Lanka Cricket urged Pakistan to reconsider, warning that a boycott could result in financial losses and adversely affect Sri Lanka’s recovering tourism industry. After consultations and requests from several cricketing boards, Pakistan withdrew its decision on February 9. Prior to
that, President Dissanayake had telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz, urging him to allow the match to proceed. Following Pakistan’s reversal, the Sri Lankan president publicly thanked the premier for ensuring that the high-profile fixture would go ahead as planned in Colombo. Joint Strategy Against Cybercrime, Terrorism and Drug Trafficking Separately, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to develop a joint strategy to combat cybercrime and financial fraud mafias during talks between Mohsin Naqvi and Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala. According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism and anti-narcotics operations. They agreed to enhance institutional collaboration between their
interior ministries and improve coordination to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Naqvi offered training opportunities for Sri Lankan police officers at Pakistan’s National Police Academy and proposed officer exchange programmes to build professional capacity and deepen bilateral engagement. He also emphasised expanding cooperation to counter cyber and financial crimes effectively. Enhanced Defence and Sports Cooperation The Pakistani interior minister also met Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampatha Thuyacontha, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral security and defence cooperation. The Sri Lankan side acknowledged its own experience as a victim of terrorism and appreciated Pakistan’s support in counterterrorism efforts.
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CDF Asim Munir says UAE security ‘integral’ to Pakistan’s stability
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
staff report
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has affirmed that the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates are “an integral part of Pakistan’s own security," according to the military’s media wing on Monday. Field Marshal Munir made the remarks during a meeting with the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly economic collaboration, investment and security. In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the two leaders also exchanged views on regional developments and underscored the importance of continued coordination to promote peace and stability in the region. During the meeting, the army chief expressed appreciation to the UAE government for its longstanding investments and continued support for Pakistan’s economy and security over the decades. He noted that such backing reflected the deep-rooted historical ties between the two brotherly nations and commended the UAE leadership’s constructive role in advancing economic and social development in Pakistan. Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the partnership, Field Marshal Munir said joint efforts would continue in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples and contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Pakistan and the UAE maintain close bilateral relations. Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, praising the Gulf country’s consistent support for Pakistan. Last month, Field Marshal Munir also met Sheikh Mohamed at Qasr Al Shati Palace, where both leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
PM Shehbaz greets President Xi, Chinese nation on Year of the Horse ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the people of China and Chinese communities worldwide on the occasion of Chinese New Year 2026—the Year of the Horse. In a message posted on his official X account on Monday, the prime minister said the Horse symbolises energy, resilience and speed—values that resonate strongly with the shared journey of Pakistan and China. He described the two countries as “iron brothers”, bound by an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and a common vision of peace, development and regional connectivity. Shehbaz Sharif expressed the hope that the New Year would further strengthen the enduring friendship between the two nations and deepen bilateral cooperation for the prosperity of their peoples. He said the entire Pakistani nation joined him in wishing the Chinese people continued good health, success and progress in the Year of the Horse.
IMF review talks to begin on February 25 as Pakistan seeks fresh loan tranche g
FUND’S MISSION TO ASSESS PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2025 AND PROGRESS ON PRIVATISATION INITIATIVES PROFIT
staff report
Pakistan will begin review talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the last week of February as the government seeks to unlock the next tranche under the ongoing 7$ billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). As per media reports, an IMF mission is scheduled to arrive on February 25 for a two-week visit to assess economic perform-
ance from July to December 2025. The review will examine progress on agreed benchmarks, including taxation measures, energy sector reforms, monetary policy implementation and foreign exchange reserves. According to official data, the federal government achieved its primary budget surplus target and provinces maintained required cash balances. However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) fell short of its six-month tax collection target by
Rs329 billion, collecting Rs6,161 billion during the period. Provincial governments reported a combined cash surplus of Rs1,179 billion and collected over Rs568 billion in taxes in the same timeframe. The IMF team will also review progress on privatisation initiatives, including developments related to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as part of the broader programme assessment.