PM Shehbaz arrives in Turkiye for two-day official visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Ankara on a two-day official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Upon arrival at the airport, he was received by Turkiye's Defence Minister Yashar Guler. The visit underscores the deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.
During his stay, the PM will hold a one-on-one meeting with President Erdogan. The two leaders are expected to discuss a broad range of issues, including enhancing bilateral cooperation, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and addressing key regional and global developments.
In addition to his political engagements, the PM will also meet with Turkish investors and business delegations to promote economic collaboration between the two countries.
The PM is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.
The visit comes in the wake of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Islamabad in February, where both leaders co-chaired the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).
During the February session, Pakistan and Turkiye signed 24 MoUs, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthen bilateral ties across multiple sectors. A major highlight of the meeting was the agreement to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Key areas of cooperation outlined in the agreements included an expansion of the Trade in Goods Agreement, enhanced collaboration in the defence sector, and efforts to attract Turkish investment in Pakistan.
The two sides also agreed to operationalise the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul trade corridor and to deepen cooperation in areas such as energy, finance, and digital trade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir visit flood-hit K-P, assure full support to victims
PM Shehbaz, COAS during briefing on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in K-P on August 20. Photo: PID Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday visited flood-affected districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla and Swabi, pledging that every available national resource would be mobilised to accelerate recovery and restore normalcy. According to the Prime Minister's Office, prime minister and field marshal received a comprehensive briefing on rescue and relief operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Federal ministers and senior officials also joined the visit. The Prime Minister and COAS received a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 During their interaction with survivors, Shehbaz assured victims of the federal government's and Pakistan Army's unwavering support. 'We will extend maximum assistance in this critical hour,' he said, while appreciating the 'tireless dedication' of the armed forces and civil administration. Premier also drew attention towards illegal encroachments, timber smuggling and mining in worsening the disaster. He stressed that Pakistan 'must act as a hard state where no one is above the law' and directed action against violators. PM said more than 350 people had been killed in K-P alone, while nationwide casualties exceeded 700. The prime minister disbursed relief cheques among victims and announced seven days of free electricity for affected households. He also ordered immediate repair of damaged road infrastructure, regardless of whether it fell under provincial or federal jurisdiction. براہِ راست: وزیرِاعظم کی ضلع بونیر میں حالیہ بارشوں و سیلاب کے متاثرین سے ملاقات — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 'Hotels and houses built on waterways increase the impact of floods,' Shehbaz warned, calling for stricter policies to prevent illegal construction and protect natural water channels. He also urged the preservation of forests, noting that deforestation was a factor behind destructive cloudbursts. Recalling the 2022 floods, Shehbaz said hundreds of thousands of acres of crops were destroyed and homes washed away in Sindh, prompting Rs100 billion in federal aid. 'Today, with the support of all stakeholders, the government is fully committed to facing this new challenge,' he said. The prime minister stressed that there should be no politics in times of crisis. He praised K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin, the armed forces and civil administration for their relief efforts. He also lauded the support of Field Marshal Munir, 'under whose cooperation the government is striving to stabilise the economy.' Pakistan ranks among the world's 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, Shehbaz noted, adding that climate change, deforestation and unchecked development have amplified the scale of natural disasters. COAS interacted with troops, police and civil administration personnel involved in rescue efforts, lauding their selfless commitment in assisting victims of floods and torrential rains. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2025 Field Marshal Asim Munir also interacted with troops, police and civil personnel engaged in relief efforts, commending their 'selfless commitment' and directing formations to 'spare no effort in alleviating the hardships of flood-stricken families.'
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Erdogan tells Putin Turkiye backs Ukraine peace talks involving ‘all parties': presidency
ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday informed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone that Turkiye would support a process involving 'all parties' for peace in Ukraine, the Turkish presidency said. Erdogan told Putin that 'Turkiye has sincerely strived for a just peace since the beginning of the war, and in this context, supports approaches aimed at establishing lasting peace with the participation of all parties,' his office said in a statement. Turkiye, which enjoys friendly ties with both its Black Sea neighbors, has hosted three rounds of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia since May. Ankara has often insisted on the protection of Ukraine's territorial integrity while shying away from Western sanctions on Russia. US, NATO planners start to craft Ukraine security guarantee options US President Donald Trump held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington on Monday, three days after his landmark encounter with Putin in Alaska. NATO head Mark Rutte called Erdogan on Tuesday by phone on his way back to Europe after that meeting, the Turkish presidency said. The pair discussed 'Turkiye's contribution to the peace process, as one of NATO's most important countries' and agreed to remain on close coordination, according to the presidency. They also exchanged views on feasible and sustainable security guarantees, the statement said, without further elaboration.
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PAF launches flood relief operation in GB, evacuates 75 stranded
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has evacuated 75 stranded individuals from Gilgit-Baltistan in a large-scale flood relief operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. 'Demonstrating unwavering resolve amidst difficult weather conditions and rugged mountainous terrain, PAF C-130 aircraft airlifted 7 tons of dry rations, daily use eatables and life-saving medicines from PAF Base Nur Khan to Gilgit,' the ISPR said. It added that the consignment will be distributed in remote flood-affected valleys in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority. 'Over the coming days, PAF aircraft and ground teams will remain engaged in sustained relief operations, delivering food, medicines, shelter and medical aid to vulnerable communities.' The timely and determined response by PAF has brought renewed hope to flood-hit families in Gilgit-Baltistan, reaffirming the unflinching resolve of Pakistan Armed Forces to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation in every hour of trial, added the ISPR. As heavy monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed an intensified and wide-reaching response to relief and rehabilitation efforts across the flood-affected area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The prime minister called for an uninterrupted electricity supply to the flood-stricken districts of KP for at least one week. He also instructed that all formalities related to the disbursement of financial aid to victims be completed without delay. NDMA officials told the meeting that more than 25,000 people have been rescued since the onset of flooding. A total of 411 medical camps have been established nationwide – 308 of them in KP alone. The Ministry of Finance informed the meeting that an additional Rs4 billion has been allocated to sustain ongoing rescue and relief operations. Rain victims: ECC approves relief package Meanwhile, NDMA has warned of more intense monsoon spells across the country until September 10.
