Prime Minister Reaches Istanbul on Official Visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday for an official visit to Turkiye.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to a government statement, the prime minister was received at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport by Turkish Minister of Trade Professor Dr Omer Bolat.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yusuf Junaid was also present at the airport. Officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani embassy also welcomed the delegation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar is accompanying the prime minister.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar is also part of the official delegation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The government statement said Khamenei was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike on February 28.
After paying his respects, the prime minister departed for Istanbul.
Trade, Investment, and Regional Security on Agenda
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdogan are expected to hold detailed talks during the visit.
The discussions will cover all major areas of Pakistan-Turkiye bilateral relations.
Special focus is expected on trade, investment, economic cooperation, and stronger business linkages.
Both leaders are also expected to discuss regional peace and security.
Pakistan and Turkiye have long enjoyed close diplomatic ties. Their relationship is based on shared cultural, religious, and historical links.
Both countries also cooperate in regional forums and maintain strong political engagement.
Business Conference to Highlight Investment Opportunities
During his stay in Istanbul, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to address a Pakistan-hosted business conference.
The conference will promote investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Key sectors include special economic zones, energy, information technology, and privatisation.
Prominent Turkish business leaders, investors, senior officials, and other guests are expected to attend the event.
The visit also follows recent Pakistan-Turkiye cooperation in the power sector.
Last week, both countries signed three memorandums of understanding in Istanbul.
These agreements aim to strengthen institutional collaboration, technical cooperation, and knowledge sharing in the energy sector.
The agreements were signed between Pakistani and Turkish energy sector entities, including ISMO, EPIAS, TEIAS, PPMC, and TEDAS.
The official visit is expected to further strengthen economic, diplomatic, and strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye.
