VIENNA: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stole the show in Vienna with his fluent German, winning the hearts of Austrians and setting an upbeat tone for Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic outreach in Europe. His confident address in the local language drew applause from delegates and business leaders alike, marking a memorable moment during his official visit to Austria.
Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV host Sana Maqboul in Vienna, Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar said the Prime Minister’s gesture of speaking German resonated deeply with the Austrian audience.
“I think the Prime Minister is very fluent with his German, and he surprised all the delegates by speaking very fluent German,” the minister said. “The delegates from the Austrian side felt very good about this gesture that the Prime Minister was speaking in their native language.”
Tarar noted that such gestures carry weight in diplomacy. “These gestures go a long way in promoting relations between the two countries,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister also shared his admiration for Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a cultural touch that further endeared him to his hosts.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Vienna included high-level meetings and participation in the Pakistan-Austria CEOs Forum and Business Forum. According to Tarar, the engagements were held after more than three and a half decades of limited top-level exchanges, making the trip a potential landmark in bilateral relations.
“The Pakistan-Austria CEOs Forum and the Business Forum went exceedingly well,” Tarar said. “There were business CEOs from both sides. They discussed issues of mutual interest and how to promote and enhance trade and investment between Austria and Pakistan.”
He highlighted significant potential in information technology, mining, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and textiles. “There’s a long way to go, but this is a good start,” he remarked.
Tarar added that the Austrian Chancellor was delighted to welcome Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, describing the visit as “the first of many” expected in the coming years. An Austrian business delegation is anticipated to visit Pakistan in April, a development the minister said would be beneficial for boosting trade and investment.
“The sentiment here is very welcoming,” Tarar said, referring to both Austrian leadership and the business community. “Even his German was a hit at the forum.”
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister and his delegation are set to travel to the United States to attend a Board of Peace meeting in Washington. Addressing the significance of Pakistan’s participation, Tarar said the country has emerged as an important player in global geopolitics.
“I think Pakistan is now a very important player as far as global politics and geopolitics are concerned,” he stated. “Pakistan’s foreign policy has never been like this. We’ve made great advances, and Pakistan is now relevant to all international issues.”
As the delegation heads to Washington for the high-profile engagement, the minister expressed optimism about Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic footprint, saying, “Let’s see how things turn out in the United States.”
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