ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye on Wednesday, beginning a four-day diplomatic visit, as Islamabad intensifies efforts ahead of a possible second round of US-Iran peace talks.
The foreign ministry said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar would focus on bilateral ties, while in Türkiye, Sharif will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and hold meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other leaders on the sidelines.
PM Sharif Heads to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye Amid US-Iran Peace Initiative pic.twitter.com/dWD7OyS7ls
— Sajjad Tarakzai (@SajjadTarakzai) April 15, 2026
The trip comes after Washington and Tehran held rare face-to-face talks in Islamabad over the weekend, with efforts underway to end a conflict that began more than six weeks ago following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The war has drawn in the wider Middle East, with Iran targeting US allies in the Gulf — including Saudi Arabia and Qatar — and disrupting energy exports from the region.
Although the Islamabad talks ended without a breakthrough, US President Donald Trump said negotiations could resume in Pakistan later this week.
Sharif is accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was involved in mediating the US-Iran talks, along with other senior officials.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake official visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Republic of Türkiye from 15–18 April 2026.
The visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be in the bilateral context, where the Prime Minister will meet… pic.twitter.com/zco4rqpArw
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 15, 2026
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close ties, and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that Saudi Arabia has committed an additional $3 billion in financial support and agreed to extend its existing $5 billion deposit for a longer duration.
Substantive funds from Saudi Arabia would provide a timely boost to the country’s external financing position and market confidence.
The Prime Minister will also visit Türkiye to participate in the Fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum. During the Forum, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders’ Panel, alongside other world leaders, to present Pakistan’s perspective at the Forum.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other key world leaders.
Pakistan’s participation in the Forum reflects its continued commitment to constructive diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and meaningful engagement with the international community on issues of global importance.
