Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint expanded significantly in 2025, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar completed a combined 71 foreign trips, marking a year of historic international engagement and strengthening of bilateral ties. The efforts brought major diplomatic and military gains for Pakistan on the global stage.
The diplomatic push saw PM Shehbaz undertake strategic visits across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and beyond, including Iran, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, the UAE, and China, while Dar’s missions focused on reinvigorating longstanding partnerships and opening new avenues for cooperation.
A standout moment came in September 2025, with the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, formalizing collective security commitments and reflecting deep-rooted defence ties. In the same year, Pakistan held high-level discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing peace, regional stability, and Pakistan’s perspectives on issues like Kashmir and the Middle East conflict.
On the economic and bilateral cooperation front, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates expanded collaboration through multiple accords covering banking, railways, mining, and infrastructure, reinforcing Pakistan’s economic diplomacy in the Gulf.
Beyond diplomacy, Pakistan and PM Shahbaz’s 2025 achievements also included progress in healthcare access in the region. For instance, the inauguration of the first cancer hospital in Azad Kashmir has given new hope to patients and highlighted Pakistan’s broader commitment to social development and regional wellbeing, linking humanitarian progress to its global engagement.
The year also witnessed renewed ties with Bahrain, where PM Shehbaz was conferred the Order of Bahrain (First Class) during talks that covered trade, defence cooperation, and shared strategic interests.
As 2025 comes to a close, Pakistan’s diplomatic and military advancements underscore its growing international influence and ability to translate foreign engagements into tangible gains for national security and economic growth.
