Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Embarks on Official Visit to Turkiye to Boost Bilateral Ties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Turkiye on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit aims to further enhance the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz is accompanied by several key officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
Strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye Relations
During his stay, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold in-depth discussions with President Erdogan. The talks will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing regional developments of mutual interest.
This visit follows President Erdogan’s trip to Islamabad in February, where he and PM Shehbaz jointly chaired the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).
Major Agreements and Shared Goals
In the February meeting, Pakistan and Turkiye signed 24 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), covering various sectors to reinforce their commitment to long-term collaboration. A key highlight of the discussions was the mutual goal of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Focus Areas for Cooperation
The agreements include:
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Expansion of the Trade in Goods Agreement (TGA)
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Stronger defence collaboration
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Increased Turkish investment in Pakistan
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Operationalisation of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul trade corridor
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Enhanced cooperation in energy, finance, and digital trade
This ongoing visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscores the importance both nations place on fostering a dynamic and strategic partnership to drive regional stability and economic growth.
Stay tuned for more updates on the outcomes of this important diplomatic engagement.
