Regional security: PM-led delegation to visit Iran, Turkiye, Azerbaijan from 25th-29th

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a significant diplomatic tour of three brotherly Islamic nations — the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Turkey and Azerbaijan — from May 25 to 29.

Accompanying the PM will be a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to diplomatic sources from the embassies of the three countries, PM Shehbaz Sharif will begin the tour in Tehran on May 25, where he will meet senior Iranian leaders through May 26. During these meetings, the PM is expected to brief the Iranian leadership on Pakistan’s military response to the recent unprovoked attacks on several cities and key facilities. Following his engagements in Iran, PM Shehbaz will travel to Turkey on May 26. He is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 27. The final leg of the tour will take the prime minister to Baku on May 28, where he will hold discussions with the President of Azerbaijan and senior cabinet members. The agenda is expected to include recent tensions between Pakistan and India, with a focus on regional peace and cooperation. PM Shehbaz Sharif is expected to return to Islamabad on May 29, according to the proposed itinerary.