ANTALYA – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Turkiye on the final leg of his three-nation tour amid ongoing active negotiations for peace in the Middle East. The prime minister is on a three-country tour until Friday, having earlier visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Pakistan continues diplomatic engagement amid efforts to help address the Middle East crisis affecting the wider region.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, upon arrival in Antalya, he was warmly received by Governor Hulusi Şahin, who welcomed the premier and his delegation at the airport. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Yusuf Junaid and senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.
Antalya Diplomacy Forum
“The prime minister will participate in the Fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum tomorrow. During the forum, the prime minister will join the ‘Leaders Panel’ to present Pakistan’s perspective in the forum,” the statement said. It added that bilateral meetings between the prime minister and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, along with other world leaders, were also expected on the sidelines of the event.
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and Prime Minister’s Spokesperson for International Media Mushahid Zaidi were accompanying the prime minister as part of the Pakistani delegation.
Earlier Stops: Saudi Arabia and Qatar
A day earlier, the premier had reached Saudi Arabia, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah and expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in strengthening Pakistan’s economic stability. “The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening what was described as an ‘enduring partnership’ between Islamabad and Riyadh,” read a statement from the PMO.
The premier then made a stopover in Qatar today as part of his three-nation tour, where he met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and urged de-escalation and dialogue for peace in the Middle East. The PMO said the two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen ties, particularly in the fields of security, defence and energy, in a manner that enhances partnership and opens new avenues for cooperation.
Context of the Tour
The premier’s meetings come four days after the US and Iran were unable to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon negotiations lasting around 21 hours. The prolonged talks, aimed at halting hostilities that have killed thousands and driven global oil prices higher over the past six weeks, ended with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.
On April 11, US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan for conclusive talks following a two-week immediate ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, announced by PM Shehbaz, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.
Background of the Conflict
The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leaving tens of thousands injured, with civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites, among those hit. The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysis: Diplomatic Momentum
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s three-nation tour — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and now Turkiye — reflects Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in the Middle East. Each of these countries has played a role in the mediation efforts, and the prime minister’s consultations with their leadership are aimed at maintaining momentum for peace.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum provides a platform for PM Shehbaz to present Pakistan’s perspective on the crisis and to engage with other world leaders on the sidelines. His expected meeting with President Erdoğan is particularly significant, given Turkiye’s active role in the mediation process alongside Pakistan.
As the two-week ceasefire continues, and with shuttle diplomacy ongoing between Washington and Tehran, the diplomatic track remains active. The prime minister’s tour is a reminder that Pakistan’s role as a mediator is not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment.
