Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was hosted at a dinner reception by Thailand’s former Prime Minister and prominent business leader in the telecommunications sector, Thaksin Shinawatra.
The event was also attended by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s youngest former female prime minister. Both Thaksin and his daughter extended a warm welcome to the Punjab chief minister.
During the meeting, Thaksin conveyed goodwill and best wishes for Pakistan Muslim League (N) President and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He, along with Paetongtarn, lauded Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision and initiatives for the development of Punjab.
“Your and your father’s struggle for the people is inspiring,” Thaksin said.
Maryam Nawaz praised the Shinawatra family’s contributions to Thailand’s progress, noting that their reforms and welfare measures had a lasting impact on the country.
“The friendship between Pakistan and Thailand is built on mutual respect and economic cooperation,” she said, adding that innovation and public service form the foundation of Punjab’s development vision.
She highlighted opportunities to enhance trade and investment in textiles, agriculture, tourism, and technology, and invited Thailand’s business community to benefit from Punjab’s incentives and regional market access.
“Cultural diplomacy, education, and tourism can bring our people closer,” Maryam remarked, while appreciating Thailand’s institutional capacity-building reforms as a model worth emulating.
She also stressed that Punjab is equipping youth with modern skills in line with the vision of building a digital nation.
The chief minister thanked Thaksin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra for hosting the dinner and extended an invitation for them to visit Punjab.