ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Antalya on his visit to Turkiye amid Islamabad’s diplomatic push for Middle East peace.
Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin received the Prime Minister and the Pakistani delegation upon their arrival at the airport.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye, Yusuf Junaid, along with senior diplomatic officials, was also present on the occasion, a PM house statement said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to attend the Fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum tomorrow.
During the event, he will participate in the “Leaders Panel” to present Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global issues.
انطالیہ: 16 اپریل 2026.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے دورہءِ ترکیہ پر انطالیہ پہنچ گئے.
انطالیہ کے گورنر ہلوسی شاہین (Hulusi Şahin) نے ہوائی اڈے پر وزیرِ اعظم و پاکستانی وفد کا پرتپاک استقبال کیا. اس موقع پر پاکستان کے ترکیہ میں سفیر یوسف جنید اور اعلی سفارتی اہلکار بھی… pic.twitter.com/H60djTIBYO
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 16, 2026
On this occasion, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other prominent global leaders.
He is accompanied by a high-level Pakistani delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister 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.
The visit comes as part of PM Sharif’s regional tour from April 15 to 18, which also includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Pakistan is trying to host another round of Iran-US talks in Islamabad, for which dates are being decided mutually.
The White House has indicated that a second round of US-Iran talks is “very likely” to take place in Islamabad, underscoring Pakistan’s growing role as a central diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran.
PRESS SEC on U.S.-Iran negotiations: The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators and we really appreciate their friendship and efforts to bring this deal to a close.
The President feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis. pic.twitter.com/3iIeF0oUpn
— Department of State (@StateDept) April 15, 2026
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif met Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming bilateral ties and discussing regional security amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.
In a post on X, PM Sharif described the meeting as “warm and cordial” and expressed gratitude for Qatar’s gesture of sending fighter jets to escort his aircraft upon entering Qatari airspace, calling it a reflection of strong ties and hospitality.
I had a most warm and cordial meeting with my dear brother, Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today.
I thanked His Highness the Amir on behalf of the people of Pakistan for the exceptionally warm and generous gesture of sending Qatar’s fighter…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2026
Amid these developments, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, where the two leaders reaffirmed close bilateral ties and reviewed efforts to support dialogue between the United States and Iran.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the nearly two-hour meeting focused on economic cooperation, defence collaboration, and regional security.
I had the pleasure and honour of meeting my dear brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah today.
During the course of which, I conveyed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and expressed my deep appreciation of its patience and… pic.twitter.com/C6fIobxM58
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 15, 2026
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is in Iran to encourage dialogue between Tehran and Washington,
The diplomatic push follows a two-week ceasefire after more than a month of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led initial talks, has described the negotiations as part of a potential “grand bargain” aimed at ending hostilities and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.
