The Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Pakistan, Andrea Wicke, met with Acting Governor and Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Syed Awais Qadir Shah, on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and exploring avenues of cooperation in key sectors.
Wicke was accompanied by Tushna Patel, a prominent member of the Parsi community and civil society activist.
During the meeting, held at the Speaker’s office, both sides expressed mutual interest in expanding collaboration, particularly in education, healthcare, climate change, and legislative development. The ambassador informed the Acting Governor about Austria’s decision to appoint an Honorary Consul in Sindh — a move that was received with appreciation.
Shah described the development as a welcome step towards facilitating closer ties between Austria and the province of Sindh, particularly in promoting people-to-people and institutional exchanges. The discussion also touched upon the potential for a parliamentary exchange program, aimed at fostering legislative learning and engagement between Austrian parliamentary institutions and the Sindh Assembly.
The two sides acknowledged the growing importance of international parliamentary diplomacy and knowledge-sharing in addressing global challenges. Ambassador Wicke commended Pakistan’s ongoing role in maintaining regional peace and expressed appreciation for its policy of restraint and diplomatic engagement.
In response, Syed Awais Qadir Shah reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful international relations and emphasized the country’s desire to work closely with global partners like Austria to promote harmony, development, and mutual respect.
The meeting concluded on a cordial note with a cultural exchange, as the Acting Governor presented the ambassador with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak and the Assembly’s legacy shield — a gesture symbolizing Sindh’s hospitality and deep-rooted cultural heritage.
