PM Shehbaz meets Turkish FM in Antalya ahead of diplomacy forum

Shehbaz describes Turkiye as his 'second home' and terms it a pleasure to visit the country

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held an early meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shortly after landing in Antalya on Thursday, who thanked him for participating in the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum, saying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan looked forward to meeting the Pakistani premier on the sidelines of the event, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

According to a statement issued by the PMO, Fidan called on the premier upon his arrival. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar, along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Syed Tariq Fatemi, were also present during the meeting.

My brother, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister @HakanFidan called on Prime Minister @CMShehbaz last night upon our arrival at Antalya.

We had good conversations ahead of a busy day today at the #AntalyaDiplomacyForum. pic.twitter.com/NUfBBacsVv

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 17, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Turkish leadership, describing Turkiye as his “second home” and terming it a pleasure to visit the country.

In an X post by PM Shehbaz, the prime minister announced his arrival in the “beautiful and vibrant city of Antalya” at the invitation of President Erdoğan late Wednesday, adding that he looked forward to “meaningful engagements with fellow leaders as we work together to promote dialogue, deepen understanding, and advance lasting peace”.

At the gracious invitation of my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, I have arrived in the beautiful and vibrant city of Antalya among dear friends to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

I look forward to meaningful engagements with fellow leaders as we work together… pic.twitter.com/FLezHI2MqK

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2026

The prime minister is scheduled to participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, including a leaders’ panel titled “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” where he will present Pakistan’s perspective on key global challenges.

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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 PMO, upon arrival in Antalya, he was warmly received by Governor Hulusi Şahin, who welcomed the premier and his delegation at the airport.

انطالیہ: 17 اپریل، 2026۔

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف ترک صدر رجب طیب ایردوان کی دعوت پر انطالیہ ڈپلومیسی فورم میں شرکت کیلئے ترکیہ میں موجود ہیں.

وزیرِ اعظم آج انطالیہ میں منعقدہ پانچویں ڈپلومیسی فورم میں "آئندہ کل کے لائحہ عمل و غیر یقینی صورتحال کے انتظام" (Mapping Tomorrow,… pic.twitter.com/ek4BqvleTS

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 17, 2026

He will also attend the forum’s opening ceremony and is expected to meet President Erdoğan and other world leaders during the event, which brings together policymakers to discuss pressing international issues.

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 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.

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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.

The premier's meeting with the Qatari emir came 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.

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.