Ansar M Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, DEC 19 — Ambassador Tim Kane, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and the Foreign Secretary were also present during the meeting.
The Prime Minister warmly felicitated Ambassador Tim Kane on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further strengthen the long-standing, friendly and multifaceted relations between Pakistan and Australia. He underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its ties with Australia and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s deepest condolences over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on December 14, 2025. He strongly condemned the cowardly act of terrorism and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Australia in their hour of grief. Emphasizing that terrorism has no religion, the Prime Minister stressed that it must be condemned in all its forms and manifestations, adding that collective international action was essential to eradicate this global menace.
Welcoming the positive trajectory of Pakistan–Australia relations, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to further expand bilateral trade and investment. He identified agriculture and livestock as promising sectors for enhanced cooperation and noted Australia’s interest in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector. Referring to the Reko Diq project, he described it as a shining example of the immense potential Pakistan offered to international investors.
The Prime Minister also lauded the valuable contribution of the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Australia, terming it a vital bridge that strengthened people-to-people ties and mutual understanding between the two countries. He noted that Pakistan and Australia enjoyed strong cultural linkages, further reinforced by their shared passion for cricket, which continued to bring the two nations closer.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his warm regards and best wishes to the Australian leadership and expressed his desire to work closely with them to build stronger and more comprehensive bilateral ties.
Ambassador Tim Kane thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome and expressed Australia’s keen interest in further enhancing Pakistan–Australia relations. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, people-to-people contacts and regional cooperation.
