ISTANBUL (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Türkiye on an official bilateral visit aimed at strengthening political, economic and strategic relations between Islamabad and Ankara through high-level engagements with the Turkish leadership.
The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reflects the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye and the commitment of both governments to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
Upon his arrival in Istanbul, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was welcomed by Turkish Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, senior officials from Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry and members of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, are accompanying the prime minister during the visit, highlighting the significance Islamabad attaches to strengthening relations with Ankara.
During his stay, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold detailed discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. Officials from both countries say the talks will focus on further enhancing political cooperation while identifying new opportunities for economic collaboration.
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Trade and investment are expected to dominate the agenda as both governments seek to increase bilateral commerce and encourage greater participation by the private sector. Pakistan and Türkiye have steadily expanded commercial ties in recent years, but officials believe there is considerable potential to increase trade volumes through stronger business partnerships and improved market access.
The discussions are also expected to cover investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, construction and information technology. Pakistan is actively encouraging Turkish companies to explore investment opportunities in various sectors as part of its broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment and stimulate economic growth.
Regional peace and security will also feature prominently during the leadership-level talks. Pakistan and Türkiye have traditionally maintained close coordination on regional and global issues, supporting peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement to address shared challenges.
Officials say both leaders are expected to exchange views on developments affecting the wider region and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in promoting peace, stability and economic connectivity.
A major highlight of the visit will be a Pakistan-hosted business conference in Istanbul, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address Turkish investors, business executives and senior government officials.
The conference aims to showcase Pakistan’s investment potential by presenting opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), renewable energy, information technology, industrial development, privatization projects and export-oriented industries.
Government representatives are expected to brief Turkish businesses on reforms introduced to improve Pakistan’s investment climate, simplify regulatory procedures and facilitate foreign investment across multiple sectors.
The participation of leading Turkish companies is expected to promote direct business-to-business engagement and encourage new partnerships between Pakistani and Turkish enterprises.
Economic experts believe closer cooperation with Türkiye can contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic development by attracting investment, supporting industrial modernization and increasing exports. Turkish expertise in construction, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure development is also considered valuable for Pakistan’s long-term development objectives.
Pakistan and Türkiye enjoy deep historical, cultural and diplomatic ties that have evolved into a broad strategic partnership. Cooperation between the two countries extends beyond trade and investment to include defence, education, health, tourism, humanitarian assistance and international diplomacy.
Analysts believe the visit demonstrates both countries’ shared commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership through practical economic initiatives while maintaining close political coordination on regional and international matters.
The outcomes of the meetings and the business conference are expected to lay the foundation for new agreements and investment initiatives that will further expand bilateral cooperation.
Officials from both governments remain optimistic that the visit will deepen economic engagement, strengthen diplomatic ties and open new avenues for collaboration, reinforcing the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye while supporting sustainable growth and regional stability.
