Erdogan to visit Pakistan after Ramazan

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would be the first foreign head of state who would be visiting Pakistan after Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister.

Erdogan would visit the country after Ramazan as he had pleasant exchange of views with PM Shehbaz on phone immediate after the latter’s success in contest for the office of prime minister.

Turkish Ambassador Dr Mehmet Pacaci told The News here at ‘Nepali Army Day’ reception that the exact date for the visit has yet to be determined between the two capitals but President Erdogan is keen to be in Islamabad at the earliest.

He reminded that like leadership in Pakistan, Turkish leaders keep Pakistan and its government in high esteem. Local bodies elections have been scheduled in Turkey on 31st of March, and for the reason, Erdogan couldn’t visit Pakistan that early.

Meanwhile diplomatic sources told this scribe that PP Shehbaz would undertake his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia later this month, during Ramazan.

Shehbaz was profusely greeted by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and he wished that Shehbaz should visit the kingdom at the earliest.

The sources said that several important capitals have diplomatically conveyed their desire to Islamabad that Shehbaz should pay visit to their country in fist available opportunity.

The sources indicated that Pakistan has not made up its mind for inviting any foreign head of state/ government on the National Day on March 23 since it is falling during the holy month of Ramazan. A final decision would be taken next week, the sources said.