Premier to discuss bilateral ties with Erdogan and address Pakistan-hosted business conference
Turkish Trade Minister Prof Dr Omer Bolat receives Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul on Friday. Photo: PID
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday on a bilateral visit to Turkiye after a brief visit to Iran, where he attended the funeral rites of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The visit to Turkiye came at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The visit marks the prime minister’s third trip to Turkiye in as many months. He had previously visited the country in April and May as part of efforts to promote bilateral ties and discuss regional developments.
According to the statement, the prime minister was received at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport by Turkish Minister of Trade Prof Dr Omer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid, and officials from the Turkish foreign ministry and the Pakistani embassy.
Read: PM Shehbaz arrives in Turkiye on last leg of 3-nation tour
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are accompanying the prime minister on the visit.
The PMO said PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan would hold detailed discussions on all aspects of Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations.
The two leaders are expected to focus particularly on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, while also exchanging views on regional peace and security.
During his stay in Istanbul, the prime minister will also address a business conference hosted by Pakistan, where trade and investment opportunities in sectors including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), energy, information technology and privatisation will be highlighted.
The conference is expected to be attended by leading Turkish business figures, investors, senior government officials, and other dignitaries, the statement said.
The prime minister last visited Turkiye in April during the final leg of a three-nation tour that also took him to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as regional efforts to secure peace in the Middle East gathered pace.
During the visit, the premier and President Erdogan reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan-Türkiye strategic partnership, underscoring their shared vision for peace, prosperity and lasting regional stability.
PM Shehbaz also reviewed regional developments and ongoing peace efforts during a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Turkiye and Qatar on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.