ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Egypt from December 18 to 20 to attend the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries, which will take place in Cairo.

The summit’s theme is “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.” Ahead of the summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will participate in the 21st D-8 Council of Ministers session on December 18, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

During the summit, Prime Minister Sharif plans to highlight the importance of investing in youth and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to build a robust and inclusive economy.  He will advocate for creating job opportunities, advancing innovation, and promoting local entrepreneurship. The Prime Minister will also reaffirm Pakistan’s strong commitment to the goals of D-8, emphasizing the need to foster partnerships for mutual prosperity and advancing cooperation in agriculture, food security, and tourism. Additionally, he will outline Pakistan’s initiatives for youth empowerment and financial development. The summit will include a special session focusing on the humanitarian crisis and reconstruction efforts in Gaza and Lebanon, following the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister is expected to reiterate Pakistan’s firm stance on the Palestine issue and advocate for peace in the region. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Sharif is anticipated to hold bilateral talks with other leaders attending the event.