Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Saudi Arabia, launching a four-day diplomatic tour that will also take him to Qatar and Turkey, as Islamabad steps up foreign engagement against a backdrop of evolving regional diplomacy and potential U.S.-Iran talks.
The trip, which began on Wednesday, will run until April 18, according to officials.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar are primarily bilateral, while in Turkey Sharif will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and hold meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders on the sidelines.
The tour comes at a sensitive time in the region, with Pakistan also engaged in wider diplomatic activity linked to anticipated efforts toward a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share longstanding ties spanning defense, energy and economic cooperation. The kingdom remains a key regional partner of Washington and has faced spillover effects from tensions linked to the Iran conflict that began earlier this year.
Earlier today, Pakistan’s finance ministry said Saudi Arabia would provide an additional $3 billion in deposits to help bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves, highlighting the financial dimension of bilateral relations.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s most significant economic partners, having extended periodic financial support in recent years to help stabilise the economy. Both countries have also expanded cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying investment and development opportunities.
Qatar has also emerged as a key partner, particularly in the energy sector, where long-term liquefied natural gas agreements have been central to meeting Pakistan’s energy needs.
In Turkey, Sharif is expected to participate in discussions with global leaders, policymakers and experts on geopolitical and economic challenges. He is scheduled to address a leaders’ panel, outlining Pakistan’s position on conflict resolution, economic cooperation and multilateral engagement.
On the sidelines, he will hold bilateral meetings with Erdogan and other participating leaders to deepen diplomatic and economic ties.
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