PM Shehbaz leaves for a three-day official visit to Turkey


ISLAMABAD, May 31 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has left for a three-day official visit to Turkey.

Federal Ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Chaudhry Salik Hussain as well as Special Assistants Syed Tariq Fatemi and Fahad Hussain are accompanying the Prime Minister.

It is the first-ever visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Turkey since he assumed office. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also join the Prime Minister in Turkey.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the time has come for Pakistan and Turkey to leverage their excellent bonds to upgrade bilateral ties. In a tweet, he said era of regional connectivity, shared development and common destiny calls for a fresh approach. He said he looks forward to discussing this with the Turkish President.

“Departing for visit to Turkey. Time has come for Pakistan & Turkey to leverage their excellent bonds to upgrade bilateral ties. Era of regional connectivity, shared development & common destiny calls for a fresh approach. Look forward to discussing this with my brother

@RTErdogan” PM Shehbaz Sharif tweeted on Tuesday.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will have one-on-one meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which would be followed by delegation-level talks.

Besides covering the entire gamut of Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues.

This year, Pakistan and Turkey are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Prime Minister will attend a Pakistan-Turkey Business Council Forum and have extensive interaction with leading Turkish businessmen and potential investors from diverse sectors.

During these events, the Prime Minister will highlight Pakistan’s vast investment potential and encourage Turkish companies to invest in Pakistan and work to strengthen Pakistan-Turkey trade and economic ties.