Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a significant six-day visit today (Sunday) to Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul via a special aircraft. He is accompanied by a delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi. This multi-nation tour is anticipated to focus on bolstering bilateral relations and addressing regional issues.
“During the visit, the prime minister will have wide-ranging discussions with the leaders of these countries on an entire range of issues covering bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance,” stated the PM Office Media Wing in a press release.
Throughout his visits to these nations, the premier will have the opportunity to convey profound appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by these friendly countries during the recent confrontation with India.
He is also slated to attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, scheduled for May 29-30.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for Pakistan, assuring Islamabad that Turkey would, God willing, stand by Pakistan through all circumstances.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has announced full support and strong solidarity with the Pakistani government and people, despite boycotts by India. Iran had also extended an offer to mediate and de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and India, which had escalated into the worst fighting in decades.
According to a Foreign Office press release, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation on Saturday with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
During their discussion, both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments. They also discussed Prime Minister Shehbaz’s upcoming visit to Azerbaijan.
It is relevant to note that Pakistan has launched a diplomatic campaign to engage with its friendly countries regarding India’s aggression towards Pakistan, which India based on uncorroborated allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
At least 26 people were killed in the April 22 attack on tourists in the scenic area of IIOJK, Pahalgam. Following this incident, India immediately blamed Pakistan for the attack without providing any corroborating evidence, a claim that Islamabad has denied. India then launched a series of small cross-border attacks before initiating missile strikes inside Pakistani territory.
This led to a brief armed conflict between the nuclear-armed neighboring countries, which ultimately ceased through the intervention of the United States, as asserted by US President Donald Trump.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto will lead a high-level delegation, comprising key parliamentarians, to global capitals to present Pakistan’s case at the international level following the recent Pakistan-India conflict.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday, the PPP chief expressed gratitude to the premier for entrusting him with this diplomatic responsibility and the leadership of the Pakistani delegation.
“I hope that under your leadership, this delegation will present Pakistan’s position and narrative to the world in a comprehensive and effective manner,” the prime minister remarked.
