February 17, 2026
PM Shehbaz arrives in London after Austria visit, to travel onward to US
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives in London for a two-day visit after his significant trip to Austria. He is set to engage in key diplomatic discussions.
February 17, 2026
LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached London on Tuesday for a brief two-day stay after wrapping up his official visit to Austria.
The prime minister’s aircraft touched down at Luton Airport, where he was received by Pakistan’s envoy to the United Kingdom and senior mission officials before leaving for his accommodation in the city.
He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Officials said that after completing engagements in London, the premier will travel onward to the United States to participate in President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace meeting focused on Gaza.
Diplomatic sources indicated that Asim Munir is also expected to be present in Washington during the same period. The forum, scheduled for February 19, aims to reinforce the ceasefire and coordinate financial assistance for rebuilding the conflict-hit enclave.
Earlier, the prime minister termed his Austria tour highly important, noting that it marked the first visit by a Pakistani premier to the country in over 30 years and coincided with seven decades of diplomatic relations between the two states.
During his stay in Vienna, he held talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, describing the discussions as constructive and focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment and other sectors.
According to official statements, the visit included meetings with leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to strengthen collaboration in peaceful nuclear energy, anti-crime efforts and sustainable industrial development.
The Foreign Office said the trip to Austria was undertaken at the invitation of the Austrian leadership and was the first by a Pakistani prime minister since Nawaz Sharif visited the country in 1992.
Officials added that bilateral meetings and business engagements held during the visit were aimed at boosting economic ties and encouraging greater investment between the two countries, which maintain long-standing diplomatic relations based on cooperation and support for multilateral institutions.
