ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will depart for Turkey immediately after his two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum at the personal invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This high-profile back-to-back diplomatic tour marks a significant step in Pakistan’s proactive foreign policy outreach amid evolving regional dynamics.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum scheduled for April 17-19 in Turkey’s scenic coastal city is set to draw over 20 heads of state nearly 15 deputy leaders and more than 50 ministers from more than 150 countries.
Under the theme Mapping Tomorrow Managing Uncertainties the forum will facilitate critical discussions on global peace economic cooperation and emerging geopolitical challenges.
Prime Minister Sharif’s attendance underscores the exceptional warmth and depth of Pakistan-Turkey fraternal relations rooted in shared history culture and strategic interests since 1947.
Bilateral trade between the two nations currently stands at approximately 1.5 billion US dollars with both governments targeting an ambitious five billion dollars by 2027 through enhanced economic collaboration.
The Preferential Trade Agreement signed in 2022 has already reduced tariffs on hundreds of lines benefiting Pakistani textiles and Turkish industrial goods.
Defence cooperation remains the bedrock of this partnership with the landmark 1.5 billion dollar deal for four MILGEM class corvettes directly enhancing Pakistan Navy’s maritime capabilities and operational reach.
Two corvettes are under construction in Turkish shipyards while the other two are being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works advancing Pakistan’s indigenous defence manufacturing goals.
Pakistan’s armed forces continue to gain from Turkish technology transfers and joint ventures that strengthen national security and deterrence in line with the vision of a modern self-reliant military.
The seventh session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council co-chaired by Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdogan earlier this year reviewed progress and paved the way for deeper collaboration in defence energy and infrastructure.
A four-way high-level meeting involving Turkey Pakistan Saudi Arabia and Egypt is also planned on the forum sidelines to address pressing regional stability issues.
President Erdogan in a recent telephone conversation with Prime Minister Sharif commended Pakistan’s peace initiatives in the Gulf region highlighting the two nations’ aligned positions on global matters.
The visit follows President Erdogan’s successful trip to Pakistan in February 2025 during which 24 cooperation agreements were signed across multiple sectors.
Intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism coordination between the two countries have reached new heights contributing to enhanced security for both nations.
Over 460 high-level participants including representatives from 75 international organisations will attend the forum promising substantive outcomes for Pakistan.
Prime Minister Sharif’s delegation is expected to showcase Pakistan’s recent economic achievements and attract fresh Turkish investments in key sectors.
Experts view this engagement as a pivotal moment that will further solidify Pakistan-Turkey ties and open new avenues for mutual prosperity.
The forum’s focus on managing uncertainties aligns perfectly with Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to foster stability in South Asia and beyond.
This visit reinforces Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral platforms while strengthening its bilateral strategic partnership with Turkey.
Pakistan’s rising diplomatic stature under the current leadership is evident from the consistent high-level invitations extended by key global partners.
The outcomes of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum are anticipated to deliver tangible benefits in trade defence and people-to-people contacts between the two brotherly nations.
