PM Shehbaz discusses global, regional issues during tri-nation tour

The PMO statement was issued as the premier departed on his flight back home from Antalya after concluding his diplomatic visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye. Later in the day, PM Shehbaz arrived in Lahore.

According to the PMO, the prime minister and the Pakistani delegation were seen off at Antalya Airport by Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Ambassador Tolga Bermek, Ambassador Nilufer Kaygisiz, parliament member Burhan Kayaturk, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousuf Junaid.

“The prime minister’s three-day tour included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, where he held meetings with the leadership of all three brotherly countries, as well as with other world leaders participating in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” the statement added.

The delegation accompanying the prime minister included Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, and the prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi.

Dar said the delegation has concluded the final phase of diplomatic engagements, following what he described as “productive and fruitful” visits.

He added that the discussions focused on “strengthening bilateral cooperation” across key areas of mutual interest.

Recalling PM Shehbaz’s “excellent interaction” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Dar noted that both the premier and he engaged with several other world leaders on the occasion.

“This platform has truly evolved into a global space for dialogue, bringing together diverse perspectives in support of peace, stability, and cooperation,” he said, adding, “I extend my sincere appreciation to the government and people of Turkiye for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements that made the forum a success.”

PM Shehbaz had kicked off his tour on April 15, visiting Saudi Arabia first, where he held a two-hour-long meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the PMO.

He then undertook a brief visit to Doha on April 16, where he held a one-on-one meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the two “exchanged views on current developments of mutual interest”.

The premier arrived in Turkiye’s Antalya the same day, where he participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the event, PM Shehbaz and Erdogan emphasised the importance of effectively utilising the current window of opportunity to advance a durable and lasting regional peace.

The premier also participated in a trilateral meeting with Erdogan and the Qatari emir on the sidelines of the summit, besides informal meetings with various world leaders, including the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Syria.