The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, which will be held from Sep 21-25.

The deputy premier highlighted “the importance Pakistan attaches to its partnership with the European Union, particularly in trade and economic cooperation”. He stressed the significance of GSP+ for Pakistan’s trade relations with the EU, the FO said.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, with DPM Dar appreciating the EU’s constructive engagement with Pakistan during recent regional developments, as well as its recognition of Pakistan’s efforts towards de-escalation and dialogue.

He called for a return to “the path of dialogue and diplomacy” and full implementation “by all parties” of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iran earlier this year, according to the statement.

“Both sides agreed to maintain close engagement on matters of mutual interest,” the FO added.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of an intense engagement between Islamabad and Brussels over a trading scheme and its future.

The current EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences framework is set to expire at the end of this year, and Pakistan is required to seek inclusion in the successor regime, which would carry more stringent requirements.

Though the new trading framework will take effect with the turn of the year, Pakistan and other existing beneficiaries will continue to receive preferences during a two-year transition period ending on Dec 31, 2028.

But the transition does not amount to an automatic continuation of the facility for the two-year period, or a roll over into the new scheme.

A European Commission assessment covering the years 2023-25, released in July this year, concluded that Pakistan had faced compliance issues with its obligations, regressed in a number of areas and made limited positive change.

Moreover, while acknowledging legislative and administrative measures, it noted that much of the progress had yet to translate into improvements on the ground.

The report had identified significant concerns relating to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, journalists’ and minority rights, judicial independence, access to justice and forced labour.

Diplomatic discussions between Pakistan and the EU suggest that Islamabad is aware of the gravity of the situation, though questions remain over whether it has yet moved decisively towards addressing the concerns that Brussels has repeatedly raised.

Earlier this month, the European Union’s ambassador to Pakistan had cautioned that GSP+ benefits could not be taken for granted.

EU imports from Pakistan reached €9.4 billion in 2022 before declining to €7.9bn in 2023 because of weaker European demand and recovering to €8.3bn in 2024.

The EU has remained Pakistan’s largest export destination, accounting for 28 per cent of its total exports, while textiles and clothing constituted around 70 to 76pc of Pakistani exports to the European market.

About 90pc of Pakistan’s exports to the EU remained eligible for GSP+ preferences during 2022-2024, with utilisation averaging 93pc and recovering to 95pc in 2024. According to the European Commission, Pakistan benefitted from approximately €732 million in tariff exemptions last year alone, equivalent to around 9pc of its exports to the European Union.

The premier was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

PM Shehbaz is slated to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25, where the Gulf conflict is expected to overshadow much of the high-level debate.

The official theme of the 81st session is ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All’, and the UNGA debate is expected to run from Sept 22 to 26, with a final sitting on Sept 28.

However, ongoing fighting between Washington and Tehran is expected to feature prominently in discussions among world leaders, particularly over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, regional stability and the possibility of finding a diplomatic way out of the confrontation.

“In his address, the prime minister will present Pakistan’s position on the changing situation regarding regional and global security, emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” the statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

It added that the premier would highlight Pakistan’s “active diplomatic and mediation efforts for eliminating tensions in the region and promoting peace and stability, while also presenting Pakistan’s priorities on key global issues, including sustainable development, climate change, the fight against terrorism, Islamophobia, and global economic challenges”.

The prime minister would also draw the attention of the international community to the long-standing issues of “occupation and denial” of the right to self-determination in India-occupied Kashmir and Palestine, the statement said.

He would participate in several high-level meetings related to development, climate action, and other important matters during the UNGA session and present Pakistan’s position, it said, adding that the premier would hold bilateral meetings with various world leaders present at the session, as well as and the UN secretary general.

The premier had on Thursday reached London for a two-day stopover before proceeding to the United States.

Dar’s bilateral meetings

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in New York ahead of the premier on Monday to participate in the UNGA session, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

On the sidelines of the session, the deputy premier met with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and the two reviewed Pakistan-France bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

According to a statement by the FO, Dar “reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral ties, including through enhanced political engagement, trade and investment, educational linkages and people-to-people exchanges”.

The two also discussed Palestine, stressing that the issue must remain “high on the international agenda”. The deputy prime minister appreciated France’s efforts to support the two-state solution.

Barrot, meanwhile, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region.

On the topic of Iran, “both sides exchanged views on the importance of continued diplomatic engagement and regional efforts to address the crisis, and highlighted the importance of implementing the Islamabad MoU,” the statement said. They also stressed the need to ensure the “safety and free flow” of maritime traffic and uninterrupted energy supplies.

The French foreign minister agreed on the importance of utilising regional forums to address regional challenges and promote dialogue, the FO statement added.

Separately, DPM Dar also met with Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty. The two ministers reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Egypt and expressed commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in “diverse areas, including trade and investment, economic cooperation, education, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts”, the FO said.

They also discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East. They reaffirmed the importance of continued consultations under the Regional Four (R4) framework and agreed to further deepen coordination on issues of common interest, the statement added.

The minister also met with the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, at the UN Headquarters.

During the meeting, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for the Palestinian cause and people, including their “inalienable right to self-determination and an independent, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State”.

“Pakistan will continue to strongly raise the issue during UNGA and at all relevant forums … and advance international efforts for an immediate end to the suffering in Gaza and a just and lasting peace,” the FO reported Dar as saying.

He also met European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and stressed the significance of GSP+ status for Pakistan’s trade relations with the EU.

In a post on social media platform X, the FO said DPM Dar had a “full programme” of high-level engagements in the week.

“He will participate in ministerial forums and deliver Pakistan’s statements and interventions on key issues of importance to Pakistan, including bilateral, regional and international priorities across the UN agenda,” the FO said.

Alongside accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — who is due to arrive in New York later this week — DPM Dar will hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts and participate in a range of high-level engagements on the sidelines of the UNGA, it added.

Upon arriving in New York on Monday, Dar was received by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Ambassador to the US Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan Consul General in New York Aamer Ahmad Atozai, and officers of Pakistan’s Mission to the UN and Consulate in New York.

In a curtain raiser posted on X on Sunday, the FO said that during the visit, Dar will attend the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, where he will highlight Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for the right to self-determination for Kashmiris.

DPM Dar will also attend several high-level meetings on the Palestine issue, including a meeting of the eight Arab-Islamic countries and a high-level ministerial meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, among others.

According to the FO, DPM Dar is also expected to deliver a statement during the UN Security Council high-level briefing on artificial intelligence. He will also chair a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Ministers.

The Pakistani delegation at the UNGA has been significantly streamlined as part of the government’s austerity measures.

Dar and senior foreign-policy adviser Tariq Fatemi form the core of the prime minister’s delegation.

Several federal ministers who were initially expected to travel were dropped from the trip, according to sources at the country’s UN mission.