What happened
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, emphasised the need to expand cooperation between Pakistan and Myanmar, as Myanmar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Than Swe called on him in Islamabad during a four-day official visit, according to Dawn.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz welcomed the visiting dignitary and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding relations with Myanmar, underscoring the importance of expanding cooperation in trade and economic engagement, education, culture, capacity-building and people-to-people exchanges.
What each side said
Shehbaz appreciated Myanmar’s cooperation in combating trafficking and its support for Pakistan’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Than Swe thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome given to him and his delegation, conveyed the greetings and good wishes of Myanmar’s leadership and expressed Myanmar’s desire to expand ties in areas of mutual interest, the statement said. He also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support during an earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand last March.
Building on the talks a day earlier
The meeting followed delegation-level talks on Monday between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Than Swe, after which the two countries agreed to renew and strengthen bilateral relations through expanded trade, people-to-people engagement and academic exchanges, signalling a diplomatic reset after years of limited engagement. The Nation reported that the two sides reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international peace and security, and agreed to remain in close contact.
At a joint press stakeout, Dar called the discussions “productive and comprehensive” and stressed the need for sustained, structured and results-oriented initiatives, particularly in capacity-building. He said all contentious issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Why it matters
Relations between Pakistan and Myanmar had been strained for years, largely because of the Rohingya crisis. Pakistan has condemned Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority at international forums, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, while providing humanitarian assistance and hosting refugees. The latest exchange suggests a pragmatic turn in ties, with Islamabad looking to deepen its Southeast Asia outreach and Yangon seeking wider diplomatic and economic engagement.
What is still uncertain
The two sides have not published the text of any agreement or memorandum, and no timeline was given for the trade, education and cultural measures discussed. Whether the diplomatic warming produces concrete economic outcomes — and how it sits alongside Pakistan’s public position on the Rohingya — remains to be seen.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 27 January 2026.
- Dawn — PM Shehbaz stresses expanded cooperation between Pakistan, MyanmarPublished 27 January 2026 · Contemporaneous report: confirms the prime minister's meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister Than Swe, the cooperation areas listed by the Prime Minister's Office, Myanmar's thanks for earthquake relief and the account of the previous day's delegation talks.
- The Nation — Pakistan, Myanmar vow to expand bilateral cooperationPublished 27 January 2026 · Independent contemporaneous report: confirms the joint press stakeout by Ishaq Dar and Than Swe, the sectors identified for cooperation, and that both sides agreed to remain in close contact.