PM Shehbaz reaches Turkiye after completing Saudi, Qatar visits

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Turkiye on Thursday after completing official visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, continuing a three-nation regional tour focused on strengthening economic, diplomatic ties amid Pakistan’s efforts to help end the Middle East crisis aroused after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February.

On his arrival, the premier was received by Governor of Antalya Hulusi Şahin. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Yusuf Junaid, and senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister will attend the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday.

During the forum, the prime minister will participate in the “Leaders’ Panel” to present Pakistan’s perspective.

On the sidelines of the event, the prime minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other important global leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and the PM’s Spokesperson for International Media, Mohammad Musharraf Zaidi, were part of the Pakistani delegation.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Shehbaz and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani underscored the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts in the Middle East and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of smooth flow of energy supply chains.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further develop them, especially in the fields of security, defence, and energy, in a manner that strengthens the partnership and opens new avenues for bilateral cooperation.