ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister PM Shehbaz Sharif departed for a two-day official visit to Turkiye on Tuesday, responding to an invitation extended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This high-level visit aims to strengthen the growing ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.
PM Shehbaz is accompanied by a senior delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi. The delegation will engage in meetings focused on deepening cooperation across multiple sectors.
During his visit, PM Shehbaz will hold detailed discussions with President Erdogan, covering key bilateral matters and regional developments. The talks are expected to further advance the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries.
Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy a special relationship based on mutual trust, shared values, and regular high-level engagements. Both nations have established the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) as a platform for coordination on areas of shared interest. The 7th session of the HLSCC was recently held in Islamabad on February 12–13, 2025, where PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan jointly chaired the meeting.
This current visit marks a continuation of those discussions, highlighting the commitment of both leaders to build upon past agreements and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
In a recent development tied to this growing partnership, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a joint bidding agreement earlier this month for offshore oil and gas exploration. The agreement involves key Pakistani companies and the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and focuses on exploring 40 offshore blocks in Pakistan’s Makran and Indus basins. This deal is seen as a significant step toward boosting foreign direct investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.
The visit by PM Shehbaz reflects Pakistan’s focus on strategic regional partnerships, especially with Turkiye, a key ally. With both countries aligned on several global and regional issues, their cooperation continues to grow stronger.
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