PM Shehbaz invites Norwegian firms to invest in Pakistan’s oil, gas sector

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited Norwegian companies to invest in Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration sector as he called for stronger economic ties and increased bilateral trade between the two countries.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

Welcoming Eide, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the “warm and cordial” relations between Pakistan and Norway and appreciated Oslo’s bilateral cooperation with Islamabad.

The prime minister particularly acknowledged Norway’s cooperation in education, skilled labour, climate resilience and technology, saying Pakistan valued its partnership with the European country.

Shehbaz said Pakistan was keen to expand bilateral trade with Norway and invited Norwegian companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector.

The prime minister also discussed regional and global developments with the Norwegian foreign minister.

He appreciated Norway’s “strong and principled” position in support of Palestine and thanked Oslo for its consistent support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace, particularly in the Gulf region.

Eide thanked the prime minister for the warm reception and conveyed the good wishes of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Shehbaz.

The Norwegian foreign minister praised Pakistan for playing a significant role in regional peace efforts and reaffirmed Norway’s interest in further strengthening bilateral relations across diverse sectors.

He also appreciated the positive contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Norway.

During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of expanding bilateral engagement beyond existing areas of cooperation, particularly through greater trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.

The Norwegian foreign minister’s visit comes amid renewed efforts by Islamabad and Oslo to strengthen bilateral ties.

Earlier on Thursday, Eide held delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which the two sides discussed trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs and education, as well as regional and global developments.

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According to the Foreign Office, Eide also praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability during the recent US-Iran conflict.

He also appreciated the role of Pakistan’s leadership in efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Later, Eide met Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the GHQ, where the two sides discussed regional security, bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

The Norwegian foreign minister appreciated the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability, while both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement in defence and security.

At the meeting with the prime minister, Shehbaz extended an invitation to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

Senior federal ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Eide’s visit is the first by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in a decade and is aimed at providing fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation across economic, diplomatic, climate and security-related areas.