ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met newly appo­inted Australian High Commissioner Tim Kane in Islamabad and condemned the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec 14, expressing his deepest condolences over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the attack.

While reaffirming Pak­istan’s solidarity with Australia in its hour of grief, PM Shehbaz emphasised that terrorism had no religion and it must be condemned in all forms and manifestations.

“Pakistan unequivocally condemns [this] cowardly act of terrorism. Col­lective action is required to eradicate this menace,” he told the Australian diplomat, who paid a courtesy call on him.

The prime minister also felicitated the high commissioner on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further strengthen the long-standing and friendly relations between Pakistan and Australia.

Bilateral trade

The premier welcomed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Australia relations and underscored the need for expanding bilateral trade and investment.

He highlighted the agriculture and livestock sector as a promising area for enhanced cooperation bet­­ween the two countries.

The prime minister welcomed Australian interest in the country’s mining and minerals industry, citing Reko Diq as a “shining example of the enormous potential of this sector in Pakistan”.

PM Shehbaz conveyed his warm regards and gre­etings for the Australian leadership. He added that he looked forward to working with the Australian leadership to build stron­ger ties betw­een the two countries.

Ambassador Kane thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and expressed Australia’s desire to work towards further enhancing bilateral relations “across all areas of mutual interest”.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025