After wrapping up visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Turkiye’s Antalya on the third leg of his tri-nation tour, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The PMO later said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, paid a courtesy call on PM Shehbaz, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi were also present at the meeting.
“During their cordial conversation, Foreign Minister Fidan extended a warm welcome to PM Shehbaz and thanked him for his participation in the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was looking forward to his meeting with the PM on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” the PMO said.
It added that PM Shehbaz thanked FM Fidan for the warm welcome and traditional hospitality.
“He said it was a pleasure for him to visit Turkiye, his second home. He was looking forward to the opportunity to participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and said that he was looking forward to meeting Erdogan, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” it said.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the prime minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is undertaking official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye from April 15 to 18. Earlier in the day, he was in Qatar, where he met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin welcomed the premier and his delegation at the airport, the PMO said in an earlier statement, adding that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Yousuf Junaid and other senior officials were also present.
It said that PM Shehbaz would attend the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum and was also expected to meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and other world leaders.
PM meets Qatar’s emir
In his meeting with the Qatar’s emir, Shehbaz had stressed the importance of de-escalation and dialogue amid the ongoing regional situation. The meeting with the Qatari emir took place shortly after his arrival in Doha.
“I had a most warm and cordial meeting with my dear brother, Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today,” PM Shehbaz said on X.
He stated: “We discussed the evolving regional situation, particularly in the Gulf region, and underscored the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and close international coordination to ensure peace and stability.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of attacks targeting Qatar and other regional countries, and conveyed our full solidarity with the brotherly people of Qatar,” the premier added.
The prime minister said he thanked Sheikh Tamim on behalf of the people of Pakistan for the “exceptionally warm and generous gesture of sending Qatar’s fighter jets to escort our aircraft as it entered Qatari airspace”.
“I am truly touched by this gesture, which also embodies the spirit of Qatar’s renowned hospitality and the strength of our enduring ties,” he remarked.
“We also reviewed our deep-rooted bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening cooperation in key areas including security, defence, and energy,” PM Shehbaz said.
He noted that the “extremely warm and productive exchanges were reflective of Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Qatar and the Gulf states”.
The meeting between PM Shehbaz and Sheikh Tamim at the emir’s palace lasted over an hour, during which they discussed the “latest regional and international developments, particularly in the Middle East”, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Qatari emir welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, and expressed his “deep appreciation for Pakistan’s pivotal role in supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and promote diplomatic dialogue in a manner that serves regional security and stability”, the statement said.
“Both leaders underscored the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts and enhancing international coordination to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly ensuring the maintenance of the smooth flow of energy supply chains,” it added.
The two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and ways to further develop them, especially in the fields of security, defence, and energy, “in a manner that strengthens the partnership and opens new avenues for bilateral cooperation”.
PM Shehbaz and Sheikh Tamim also held a one-on-one meeting, during which they “exchanged views on current developments of mutual interest and emphasised the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries, particularly in light of ongoing events and their implications for regional security and stability”, the statement noted.
The bilateral meeting was also attended by Qatar’s PM and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Amiri Diwan Chief Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and a number of senior officials.
On the Pakistani side, it was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials, the statement said.
Following the meeting, the Qatari emir hosted a luncheon in honour of the prime minister and the accompanying delegation.
In an earlier statement on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that the premier, along with his delegation, was welcomed by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi.
Upon arrival, the Pakistani delegation was welcomed by a contingent of the Qatari Armed Forces, the PMO said, adding that the airport and the city had been decorated with Pakistani flags.
The PMO said PM Shehbaz and the Qatari emir were to “exchange views on Pakistan’s efforts towards regional and global peace”.
Saudi Arabia visit concludes
In an earlier statement, the PMO said that PM Shehbaz had departed for Doha after concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Deputy PM Dar had also posted that the premier and his delegation were leaving Madina for Doha to hold the meeting with the emir.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, the premier landed in Madina last night, where he and his delegation were welcomed by Madina Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud upon arrival.
According to the PMO, the prime minister visited the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in Madina and offered prayers for the progress of the country and nation, as well as for peace and reconciliation around the world.
“The gates of the Prophet’s Chamber were opened for the prime minister and the delegation; the prime minister paid a special visit to the Prophet’s Chamber (peace be upon him) and presented salutations and blessings,” the statement said.
After reaching Jeddah on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the PMO said. Dar was also present at the meeting. Dar posted on X that the meeting was “marked by warmth, brotherhood, and a shared vision for a stronger Pakistan–Saudi Arabia partnership”.
According to the PMO handout, the meeting lasted two hours, during which the two leaders held detailed discussions on the “evolving regional situation”.
“The prime minister expressed full solidarity and support for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the wake of the recent regional escalation. He conveyed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives and said the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with their Saudi brethren,” it said.
The statement said that PM Shehbaz also appreciated the “patience and restraint” shown by the kingdom. He also apprised the crown prince of “recent developments related to Pakistan’s peace efforts that led to the US- Iran ceasefire and the recently held round of historic talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad”.
The statement said that the crown prince appreciated the “constructive role” of PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in the peace process.
“While exchanging views on bilateral issues, the prime minister expressed his sincere appreciation for the crown prince for the kingdom’s consistent support to Pakistan’s economic stability. The prime minister also highlighted that Pakistan and the kingdom enjoyed a unique relationship as they were both strategic defence partners under the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” the statement said, adding that both leaders also expressed their shared commitment for continuing close cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
In its earlier statement, the FO said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar were “in the bilateral context”. It added that the premier would meet the leadership there to “discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security”.
In Turkiye, he will participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum and present Pakistan’s position in the Leaders’ Panel along with other world leaders, the FO added.
Gulf countries — including Saudi Arabia — were facing Iranian attacks, which Tehran says were aimed at US and Israeli sites in response to the latter’s deadly large-scale strikes. Pakistan intensified efforts to act as a mediator between the United States and Iran to end the war that had engulfed the Middle East, leading to a fragile, temporary ceasefire and a first round of talks in Islamabad.
Last month, PM Shehbaz hailed Saudi Arabia for showing “remarkable restraint” during the ongoing hostilities and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation.
