PM Shehbaz to visit China as Islamabad pushes digital, regional diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a three-day official visit to China from May 23 to 26, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday as Pakistan and China move to deepen strategic and digital cooperation.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Centre in Islamabad, Dar said the prime minister would also participate in a business-to-business forum on May 24 during the visit.

The visit follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent five-day trip to China, during which both countries signed multiple memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in key economic sectors.

Pakistan and China maintain a longstanding strategic partnership spanning trade, infrastructure, energy and defence, with both countries set to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations on May 21.

The latest engagement comes amid Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran, a process in which China has also remained involved. A day earlier, Dar held a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss regional developments and Islamabad’s mediation efforts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last visited China in September 2025 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Addressing the digital economy event, Dar said Pakistan and China were entering “a new phase in the digital age”, adding that the emerging Pak-China digital corridor would promote innovation, connectivity and technological cooperation.

He said the partnership would support collaboration in digital transformation, agriculture, climate resilience, healthcare, disaster management and smart cities, while creating broader opportunities for the Global South.