Islamabad, June 17, 2026: Portugal has praised Pakistan’s growing role in promoting dialogue and peaceful solutions to international challenges, expressing its desire to work closely with Islamabad at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
Speaking at a reception marking the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Guedes Domingues said Portugal highly values Pakistan’s increasingly constructive contribution to regional and international diplomacy.
“Portugal values the increasingly constructive role that Pakistan is playing in promoting dialogue and supporting peaceful solutions to international challenges,” the ambassador said. “We particularly recognize Pakistan’s contribution to recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and creating conditions for dialogue and peace in a highly complex regional environment.”
Referring to the upcoming US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding scheduled to be signed in Switzerland later this week, Domingues described the agreement as a testament to the power of diplomacy.
“The historic agreement due to be signed in Geneva later this week, hosted and mediated by Pakistan, is a powerful reminder that diplomacy can still prevail over conflict and that dialogue remains the surest path to peace,” he said.
The event was attended by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who was the chief guest, along with Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Mueen Wattoo, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, former federal minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, diplomats, business leaders, media representatives and members of civil society.
The ambassador highlighted that this year marks the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Portugal and Pakistan, describing the relationship as one built on friendship, dialogue and mutual respect.
“Portugal and Pakistan may be geographically distant, yet our interests increasingly converge. Our peoples are becoming closer and our partnership is growing stronger,” he said, adding that the bilateral relationship could be summed up in two Urdu words: “Dosti aur Bharosa” (friendship and trust).
Domingues noted that political engagement, economic cooperation, academic exchanges and people-to-people contacts between the two countries were expanding steadily.
He said upcoming Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad and the planned visit of Portugal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation later this year reflected the shared ambition of both governments to further deepen ties.
The ambassador also acknowledged the growing Pakistani diaspora in Portugal, saying nearly 50,000 Pakistanis now live in the European country and make valuable contributions to Portuguese society.
“They are among the strongest ambassadors of friendship between our two nations,” he remarked.
He further highlighted Portugal’s special relationship with the Ismaili community through its hosting of the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon and paid tribute to the legacy of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, whose commitment to dialogue, education and human development continues to inspire Portugal.
Discussing Portugal’s international engagement, Domingues noted that his country was recently elected to the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for supporting Portugal’s candidacy.
“Portugal looks forward to working closely with Pakistan at the United Nations and beyond,” he said, emphasizing that both countries share a strong belief in multilateralism, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
“At moments of conflict, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, diplomacy matters more than ever. The world needs countries willing to build bridges, facilitate dialogue and promote peaceful solutions,” he said.
“Portugal and Pakistan share a fundamental conviction: dialogue is always stronger than confrontation.”
Reflecting on his first few months in Pakistan, Ambassador Domingues said he and his wife Carla had been deeply moved by the hospitality and warmth of the Pakistani people.
He described Islamabad as one of the most welcoming diplomatic postings of his career and praised the country’s tradition of “Mehman Nawazi”.
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador expressed confidence in the future of Pakistan-Portugal relations.
“The strongest chapters of Portugal-Pakistan relations are not behind us. They are still waiting to be written. And we will write them together,” he said.
“Viva Portugal. Long live the friendship between Pakistan and Portugal. Pakistan–Portugal Friendship Zindabad.”
