PM’s Türkiye Visit to Focus on Trade, Investment with President Erdogan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran and Turkiye from July 3 to July 5, the Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday.

The first stop will be Iran, where the premier is set to participate in the funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Available reports state Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on February 28. A high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cabinet members, and senior officials, will accompany the Prime Minister.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said the Prime Minister will “convey condolences on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families while reaffirming solidarity with the brotherly nation in their hour of profound grief.”

Following the visit to Iran, Prime Minister Sharif will travel to Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders will discuss the full range of bilateral relations, with a special focus on boosting trade and investment, as well as regional peace and security.

While in Istanbul, the premier will also address a business conference hosted by Pakistan to “spotlight Pakistan’s trade and investment potential in priority areas,” including special economic zones, energy, IT, and privatisation. The conference is expected to bring together leading Turkish business figures and investors.

The spokesperson highlighted that the visits reflect “Pakistan’s deep-rooted, historic, cultural and fraternal ties with the two brotherly nations.”