ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday on an official visit to Türkiye at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his participation in the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the funeral in Tehran, where he paid his respects before departing for Istanbul.
Upon his arrival at Ataturk Airport, the prime minister was received by Turkish Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Dr. Yusuf Junaid, along with senior officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani Embassy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar are accompanying the prime minister during the visit.
According to an official statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan are expected to hold comprehensive talks covering all aspects of Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in trade, investment and economic partnerships.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments, including issues related to peace and security.
During his stay in Istanbul, Prime Minister Shehbaz will address a Pakistan-hosted business conference aimed at showcasing investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the energy sector, information technology and the government’s privatisation programme.
The conference is expected to bring together leading Turkish business executives, investors, senior government officials and representatives from various economic sectors to explore new avenues of bilateral investment and commercial cooperation.
Pakistan and Türkiye continue to enjoy close and longstanding relations founded on shared cultural, religious and historical ties, as well as mutual trust and strategic cooperation.
The visit comes shortly after both countries signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Istanbul to strengthen institutional coordination, technical collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the energy sector.
The agreements were signed between Pakistan’s Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) and Energy Exchange Istanbul (EPIAS), ISMO and the Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEIAS), and the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) and the Turkish Electricity Distribution Corporation (TEDAS), reflecting both countries’ commitment to deepening cooperation in the power sector.
