ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran to attend the funeral of the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before traveling to Türkiye for talks on regional security, trade and investment, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Thursday.
The July 3-5 trip will begin in Tehran, where Sharif will offer condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the prime minister would then travel to Türkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Sharif and Erdoğan are expected to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, regional peace and security, and ways to strengthen trade and investment ties.
The Pakistani leader will also address a business forum aimed at promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan, including in the energy, trade and privatization sectors.
According to the Foreign Office, the conference will bring together senior Turkish officials, business leaders and investors.
Sharif’s visit to Iran comes as the United States and Iran continue indirect diplomatic engagement following recent mediation efforts involving Pakistan and Qatar.
Pakistan has sought to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington while maintaining close ties with both countries.
On Wednesday, reports said U.S. and Iranian negotiators concluded another round of indirect talks but made no major breakthrough toward a comprehensive agreement.
Pakistan has increasingly played a diplomatic role in efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries through coordination with Qatar and other regional partners.
The visit will be Sharif’s first to Iran since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
After completing his engagements in Tehran, Sharif will travel to Istanbul to continue his regional diplomacy with meetings focused on economic cooperation and regional stability.
