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PM Shehbaz Sharif Embarks on 2-Day Visit to Turkiye to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
PM Shehbaz Sharif begins a 2-day visit to Turkiye at President Erdogan’s invitation to deepen Pak-Turkiye ties. Talks will focus on trade, defense, and regional cooperation.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-22
PM Shehbaz Sharif Embarks on 2-Day Visit to Turkiye to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday departed for a two-day official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The high-level diplomatic engagement underscores the enduring strategic partnership between the two nations.

Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, PM Shehbaz is set to engage in wide-ranging discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

The visit is expected to cover critical topics such as regional developments, defense collaboration, trade expansion, and continued support for mutual concerns — particularly Kashmir and Cyprus.

Pakistan and Turkiye share deep-rooted ties grounded in a common history, cultural affinity, and religious values. Over the decades, both countries have stood by each other on the international stage and worked closely through multiple bilateral frameworks.

“This visit is part of a tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two brotherly nations and reflects their extraordinary mutual trust and cooperation,” APP noted.

High-Level Strategic Council in Focus

One of the central pillars of this partnership is the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) — a leadership-level institutional mechanism established in 2009 to streamline cooperation in various sectors such as defense, trade, energy, education, health, and agriculture.

The 7th session of the HLSCC was held earlier this year on February 12–13 in Islamabad and was co-chaired by President Erdogan and PM Shehbaz. During that session, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a $5 billion bilateral trade target and made strides toward establishing a special economic zone in Pakistan for Turkish investors.

Today’s visit marks a continuation of this strategic momentum, reinforcing both countries’ pledge to elevate the partnership to new heights.

Defense and Counter-Terror Collaboration

In addition to economic and diplomatic cooperation, both nations have prioritized defense and counter-terror efforts. Earlier this year, President Asif Ali Zardari and President Erdogan met during a brief stopover in Istanbul, where they discussed enhancing joint efforts against terrorism.

This discussion was followed by another meeting in Islamabad, where both countries reiterated their shared resolve to strengthen counter-terror collaboration.

As PM Shehbaz arrives in Turkiye, analysts expect a reaffirmation of shared commitments and fresh agreements to boost bilateral engagement in new and emerging areas of mutual interest.

 
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