Official Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Islamabad, Pakistan, 30 October 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is on an Official Visit to Islamabad, Pakistan on 30 October 2026.

Minister Balakrishnan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff. Prime Minister Sharif and Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Singapore and Pakistan and welcomed the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a timely opportunity to further deepen ties. Minister Balakrishnan also exchanged views with Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir on the evolving regional security landscape. They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting peace and stability. Minister Balakrishnan expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir for their tireless efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and avert wider repercussions for the global economy.

Minister Balakrishnan met and was hosted to lunch by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The Ministers discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the digital economy, education, people-to-people exchanges, technology, trade and disaster management. Minister Balakrishnan and Senator Dar also exchanged views on regional and international developments and underscored their shared commitment to upholding international law and adhering to a rules-based international order. The Ministers exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Disaster Management between the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.

Minister Balakrishnan also visited the National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).  

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

30 OCTOBER 2026

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE AND THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY, PAKISTAN, ON 30 OCTOBER 2026

This MOU sets out a framework for cooperation between the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan. The signing of the MOU highlights Singapore’s commitment to the bilateral relationship between both countries. Under the MOU, both organisations will cooperate in areas related to disaster management, including the following:

a. Cooperating on early warning systems to facilitate anticipatory actions;

b. Sharing best practices and knowledge on disaster risk reduction initiatives;

c. Developing search and rescue capabilities for coordinate assistance and deployment of rescue support; and

d. Conducting regular training and exercises between both organisations.

Implementation timeline

The MOU will take effect from the date of signature and remain in force until either party terminates it by providing 90 days’ written notice to the other party. The MOU was exchanged on 30 October 2026 during Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Official Visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

For media enquiries, please contact:

MAJ Stacy Lian

Senior Staff Officer (International Operations)

Singapore Civil Defence Force

Tel: +65 9790 8650

Email: Stacy_LIAN@scdf.gov.sg

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