Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visits Turkey, Iran to boost digital, investment ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Istanbul on an invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meeting Turkish trade officials and leading business groups. The agenda focused on deepening strategic cooperation, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and promoting a Pakistan‑Turkey Digital Corridor to enhance cross‑border data flows, 5G deployment and digital infrastructure. In talks with Turkcell CEO Ali Taha Koç, Sharif urged long‑term collaboration on telecommunications, network optimisation and local manufacturing of equipment.

During the same trip Sharif addressed a Pakistan‑hosted business conference highlighting opportunities in Special Economic Zones, energy, IT, logistics, mining and privatisation. He invited Turkish firms such as Çalık Holding and Albayrak Group to expand investments across these sectors, emphasizing the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in providing one‑window support.

Prior to the Turkey visit, Sharif led a delegation to Iran to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering condolences and reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people.