Islamabad (GNP): Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), will visit Pakistan from 6 to 9 October 2026 at the invitation of the Government of Pakistan. The visit will be Mr Houngbo’s first official visit to Pakistan since taking office as ILO Director-General in October 2022.
During the three-day visit, Houngbo will hold high-level meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain. He will also meet the Chief Ministers of Sindh and Punjab during visits to Karachi and Lahore.
A key highlight of the visit will be the 75th anniversary of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) in Karachi, which Houngbo will attend. The ILO Director-General will also travel to the Gadani ship recycling yards where he will see ILO-supported work to promote safer and more sustainable ship recycling. The visit will provide an opportunity to engage with stakeholders on improving occupational safety and health, working conditions and environmental practices in the sector.
In Lahore, Houngbo will meet workers’ representatives and visit Millat Tractors, where he will engage with plant-level workers and representatives of the Workers’ and Employers’ Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP).
Also read: Antonio Guterres Heads to Pakistan for Four-Day High-Level Visit
The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the ILO’s longstanding partnership with Pakistan and its tripartite constituents and advance shared priorities for decent work and social justice.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
