ISTANBUL, Jul 4 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday on an official visit to Türkiye at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to advance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, regional security and strategic partnership.
Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat received the prime minister at the airport. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr Yousaf Junaid, and senior Turkish foreign ministry officials were also present to welcome the delegation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar are accompanying the prime minister during the visit.
According to an official statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdoğan will hold wide-ranging talks covering all aspects of Pakistan-Türkiye relations, with particular focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, regional peace, security and other issues of mutual interest.
During his stay in Istanbul, the prime minister will address a business conference organised to showcase Pakistan’s investment potential in priority sectors, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), energy, information technology and privatisation.
The conference will bring together leading Turkish investors, business executives and senior government officials to explore new opportunities for investment and strengthen commercial ties between the two countries.
Pakistan and Türkiye enjoy longstanding historical, cultural and fraternal relations and continue to cooperate closely on bilateral, regional and international issues.
The visit follows a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April, where both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional developments, particularly the evolving situation in the Middle East.
During that meeting, President Erdoğan appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace, while Prime Minister Shehbaz shared Pakistan’s initiatives to support a ceasefire and encourage dialogue for lasting peace in the region.
Both leaders agreed to convene the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting in Ankara later this year and reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating existing initiatives, expanding economic cooperation and further strengthening the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye.
