ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Turkey on a three-day visit on Tuesday (today), his first visit to the friendly country since assuming charge of the office.

“During the visit, the PM will have a tete-a-tete with President Erdogan. This would be followed by delegation-level talks. Besides covering the entire gamut of Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations, the two leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues,” said the official statement.

Both leaders will address a joint press stakeout after their meetings. President Erdogan will host a dinner in honour of PM Shehbaz. This year, Pakistan and Turkey are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also shared the update on Monday in a tweet.

“The tour is part of a series of visits for the renewal of bilateral relations with Pakistan’s close allies and trusted brotherly countries,” the information minister tweeted.

Marriyum said the visit would be important for enhancing cooperation in investment, trade, health, education, culture and other areas of mutual interest.

The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, SAPMs and senior officials. A business delegation from Pakistan comprising representatives of leading companies across various sectors will travel separately to Turkey to participate in the business engagements.   The federal minister said the prime minister would pay a visit to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

“The Turkish leadership and government have steadfastly supported the just cause of Kashmir. Turkey is an important and active member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir,” it added.

A large number of Turkish companies have invested more than $1 billion in different sectors (construction, power, solid waste management, hygiene products, electronics and dairy etc) in Pakistan.