Antalya, April 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook extensive diplomatic engagements with world leaders during the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing role as an active facilitator of dialogue and regional peace amid ongoing instability in the Middle East.
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The prime minister participated in a high-level trilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leaders exchanged views on recent geopolitical developments, with particular focus on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader regional tensions affecting multiple conflict zones.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the three leaders agreed on the urgent need to sustain diplomatic momentum and continue coordinated efforts aimed at de-escalation, humanitarian support, and the pursuit of long-term stability. They stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward in addressing complex regional crises.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of maintaining unity among friendly and regional states to support peace initiatives and ensure that humanitarian concerns remain central to international responses. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to working together in advancing peace, security, and development in the region.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, where both sides reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–Türkiye relations. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued strengthening of bilateral ties and agreed to further deepen cooperation in trade, investment, defence, and energy sectors.
They also agreed to convene the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Ankara later this year, aimed at expanding institutional collaboration and accelerating joint initiatives. Both leaders emphasized that the current global environment presents both challenges and opportunities, and stressed the importance of leveraging diplomatic engagement to promote stability and shared prosperity.
PM Shehbaz thanked President Erdo?an for Türkiye’s consistent support for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and praised the Antalya Diplomacy Forum as an important global platform for dialogue and engagement among nations.
On the sidelines of the forum, the prime minister also met Senior Adviser to the US President Massad Boulos, who appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in regional stability and international diplomacy. The discussions covered cooperation in counter-terrorism, economic development, and broader regional peace efforts. PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the United States and other international partners on issues of mutual interest.
In addition, the prime minister held informal meetings with several world leaders, exchanging views on evolving global challenges and opportunities for enhanced cooperation. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that these interactions reflect Pakistan’s active and constructive diplomatic presence at a critical time for global peace and security.
PM Shehbaz reiterated that Pakistan will continue to support dialogue-based solutions, multilateral cooperation, and peaceful conflict resolution as core principles of its foreign policy.
