Istanbul: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, arrived in Türkiye on a two-day official visit as part of a four-nation tour covering Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan.
The Pakistani premier was warmly received at Istanbul Airport by Turkish Defence Minister, the Governor of Istanbul, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Yousaf Junaid.
During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors including investment, energy, and agriculture, setting an annual bilateral trade target of $5 billion.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude to President Erdoğan and the Turkish people for their support of Pakistan during its recent tensions with India. He also acknowledged Türkiye’s solidarity during the “Operation Banyan al-Marsous,” a military response launched by Pakistan following Indian incursions earlier in May.
The two leaders led delegation-level talks which included Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Turkish President Erdoğan also hosted an official dinner in honour of Prime Minister Sharif.
Prime Minister Sharif is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
The four-nation visit, spanning May 25 to 30, 2025, aims to strengthen Pakistan’s bilateral relations and cooperation on key regional and international issues. The Prime Minister is also expected to express gratitude to the leadership of these nations for their open support of Pakistan during its recent standoff with India.
Notably, Prime Minister Sharif will attend an international conference on glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 29 and 30.
The diplomatic outreach follows the April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, and subsequent Indian aggression on the night of May 6–7, prompting Pakistan’s military response under Operation Banyan al-Marsous. Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan strongly supported Pakistan’s right, leading to boycott campaigns in India against Turkish and Azerbaijani products.
