Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on Friday for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on trade, investment and regional security after attending the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, as Islamabad seeks to build on its expanding diplomatic role in the Middle East.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Pakistan and Turkiye maintain close political, economic and defense ties. Their strategic partnership has assumed greater significance amid heightened instability in the Middle East following the conflict between Iran and the United States, with both countries also participating in the R-4, a diplomatic framework launched by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in March to coordinate positions on regional crises and advance de-escalation efforts. The grouping has met regularly to discuss security, political and economic developments across the region.
Sharif is visiting Turkiye at the invitation of Erdogan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad. "The two leaders will hold detailed discussions on all areas of Pakistan-Turkiye bilateral relations," the statement said. "The meeting will particularly focus on further promoting cooperation in trade and investment," it added, "while the two leaders will also exchange views on issues relating to regional peace and security."
Pakistan's Expanding Diplomatic Role
Pakistan has assumed an increasingly prominent diplomatic role in recent months, helping facilitate contacts between Tehran and Washington that culminated in indirect negotiations in Doha this week following military exchanges in the Gulf. Earlier, Islamabad also hosted the highest-level direct talks between Iranian and US officials in several decades in April, as efforts continue to turn a fragile ceasefire into a lasting settlement.
Sharif traveled to Turkiye directly from Tehran, where he joined other world leaders in paying tribute to Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28 that triggered the regional war before Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire on Apr. 8. The Pakistani delegation to Tehran, one of the highest-level foreign representations at the funeral, included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and senior parliamentary leaders.
Business Conference in Istanbul
During his stay in Istanbul, Sharif is scheduled to address a Pakistan-hosted business conference highlighting investment opportunities in special economic zones, energy, information technology and privatization. The event will bring together Turkish business leaders, investors and senior government officials.
