ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a whirlwind six-day diplomatic tour beginning Sunday, touching down in four friendly nations Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan – as Pakistan intensifies efforts to solidify regional ties in the aftermath of recent hostilities with India.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Friday, the prime minister will hold comprehensive discussions with the leadership of these nations on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
A key purpose of the tour is to personally convey Pakistan’s gratitude for their support during the recent escalation with India.
The visit will begin in Turkiye and conclude in Tajikistan, where the prime minister will participate in the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, scheduled for May 29-30.
“The Prime Minister will have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by these friendly countries during the recent crisis with India,” the Foreign Office spokesperson stated.
The visit is expected to reinforce diplomatic and economic ties, with wide-ranging discussions on mutual cooperation and regional peace.
PM, Bilawal meeting
Earlier, PM Shehbaz held a key huddle with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to thrash out Pakistan’s diplomatic response to India’s recent sabre-rattling, just ahead of Bilawal’s whirlwind global campaign to present Islamabad’s case to the world.
Bilawal, recently tapped to spearhead the high-powered delegation, is tasked with taking Pakistan’s concerns to the world stage – from New Delhi’s hostile rhetoric and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty to broader threats to regional peace.
Flanked by Senator Sherry Rehman and former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Bilawal thanked the prime minister for placing trust in him at this critical diplomatic juncture.
PM Shehbaz expressed full confidence in Bilawal’s leadership and the delegation’s ability to communicate Pakistan’s perspective robustly.
“Under your leadership, this delegation will present Pakistan’s stance and narrative to the world in a robust and effective manner,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and SAPM Tariq Fatemi.
Other members of the high-powered delegation include Federal Minister Dr Musadik Malik, former foreign minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Senator Faisal Sabzwari and former foreign secretaries Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
