Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday on a bilateral visit to Turkiye, following a brief trip to Iran where he attended the funeral rites of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The visit comes at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Third Visit in Three Months
This marks the prime minister's third trip to Turkiye in as many months, having previously visited in April and May to bolster bilateral ties and discuss regional developments. Upon arrival at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport, he was received by Turkish Minister of Trade Prof Dr Omer Bolat, Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid, and officials from both the Turkish foreign ministry and the Pakistani embassy.
Delegation and Agenda
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, are accompanying the prime minister. The PMO stated that PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan will hold detailed discussions on all aspects of Pakistan-Turkiye bilateral relations, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional peace and security.
Business Conference and Investment Opportunities
During his stay in Istanbul, the prime minister will address a business conference hosted by Pakistan, highlighting trade and investment opportunities in sectors including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), energy, information technology, and privatisation. The conference is expected to draw leading Turkish business figures, investors, senior government officials, and other dignitaries, according to the PMO statement.
