ISLAMABAD (April 15, 2026) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to depart from Islamabad today for a three-nation official tour covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye. The high-level visit from April 15–18 comes at a pivotal moment as Pakistan cements its role as a regional mediator while navigating a complex security and economic landscape.
Key Highlights
- The Prime Minister will visit Jeddah, Doha, and Ankara/Antalya over the next four days.
- The trip follows Saudi Arabia’s recent pledge of an additional $3 billion deposit and a three-year extension of its $5 billion facility.
- In Turkiye, the PM will present Pakistan’s stance at the prestigious Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
- Discussions will focus on regional peace following Pakistan’s mediation between the U.S. and Iran.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اعلی سطح وفد کے ہمراہ آج اپنے سرکاری دورہءِ سعودی عرب پر اسلام آباد سے جدہ روانہ ہونگے. pic.twitter.com/TDw6O7nXdm
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 15, 2026
Strengthening the “Strategic Mutual Defence” with Riyadh
The first leg of the journey takes the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This follows the 2025 “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” which binds the two nations to treat an attack on one as an attack on both.
With Pakistan recently deploying fighter jets and military personnel to the Kingdom to boost security, the talks are expected to focus on maintaining the fragile regional ceasefire and expanding military-to-military cooperation.
Advancing the peace agenda in Qatar and Turkiye
In Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the primary agenda remains “bilateral cooperation and regional security.” Qatar, a major energy supplier to Pakistan, has recently faced disruptions in its gas fields due to regional conflict, making these talks vital for Pakistan’s energy security.
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Curtain Raiser : Prime Minister’s Visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye (15–18 April 2026)
🔗⬇️https://t.co/O80lliee7O pic.twitter.com/x1lhwHS5To
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 15, 2026
In Turkiye, PM Shehbaz will join world leaders at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. His participation in the Leaders’ Panel is aimed at projecting Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and constructive diplomacy, particularly regarding the ongoing Middle East peace process.
High-level diplomatic delegation
The Prime Minister is accompanied by a powerful team, including:
- Ishaq Dar: Foreign Minister
- Attaullah Tarar: Information Minister
- Tariq Fatemi: Special Assistant to the PM (SAPM)
This delegation underscores the multifaceted nature of the visit, covering everything from financial stability and investment to media narratives and foreign policy strategy.
Mediation and regional stability
The visits take place against the backdrop of Pakistan’s successful efforts to bring the U.S. and Iran to the negotiating table in Islamabad. Having hailed Saudi Arabia for its “remarkable restraint” during recent hostilities, the Prime Minister aims to use this tour to build a wider consensus among Gulf allies and Turkiye to ensure the temporary ceasefire becomes a permanent settlement.
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