ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a whirlwind six-day diplomatic tour beginning Sunday, touching down in four friendly nations Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan – as Pakistan intensifies efforts to solidify regional ties in the aftermath of recent hostilities with India.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Friday, the prime minister will hold comprehensive discussions with the leadership of these nations on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
A key purpose of the tour is to personally convey Pakistan’s gratitude for their support during the recent escalation with India.
The visit will begin in Turkiye and conclude in Tajikistan, where the prime minister will participate in the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, scheduled for May 29-30.
“The Prime Minister will have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by these friendly countries during the recent crisis with India,” the Foreign Office spokesperson stated.
The visit is expected to reinforce diplomatic and economic ties, with wide-ranging discussions on mutual cooperation and regional peace.
PM, Bilawal meeting
Earlier, PM Shehbaz held a key huddle with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to thrash out Pakistan’s diplomatic response to India’s recent sabre-rattling, just ahead of Bilawal’s whirlwind global campaign to present Islamabad’s case to the world.
Bilawal, recently tapped to spearhead the high-powered delegation, is tasked with taking Pakistan’s concerns to the world stage – from New Delhi’s hostile rhetoric and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty to broader threats to regional peace.
Flanked by Senator Sherry Rehman and former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Bilawal thanked the prime minister for placing trust in him at this critical diplomatic juncture.
PM Shehbaz expressed full confidence in Bilawal’s leadership and the delegation’s ability to communicate Pakistan’s perspective robustly.
“Under your leadership, this delegation will present Pakistan’s stance and narrative to the world in a robust and effective manner,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and SAPM Tariq Fatemi.
Other members of the high-powered delegation include Federal Minister Dr Musadik Malik, former foreign minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Senator Faisal Sabzwari and former foreign secretaries Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The team is expected to visit London, Washington and Brussels in the coming days.
The premier constituted the delegation to not only highlight Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability but also expose India’s narrative and alleged provocations.
The move comes in the aftermath of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, launched by Pakistan on May 10, 2025, in retaliation to Indian missile strikes on Pakistani airbases and civilian targets.
The operation, named after a Quranic term meaning “solid structure”, targeted key Indian military installations and aimed to demonstrate Pakistan’s military resolve.
In response, Pakistan’s armed forces struck the BrahMos missile storage facility in Beas, airbases in Udhampur and Pathankot and a military intelligence training site in Rajouri. Pakistani forces also downed at least five Indian fighter jets, including a Rafale, marking the first confirmed combat loss of the French-made aircraft.
A senior French intelligence official confirmed to CNN that a Rafale jet had been shot down, and BBC Verify authenticated videos showing wreckage in Bathinda, India.
Pakistan used Chinese-manufactured J-10C fighter jets, armed with PL-15E air-to-air missiles, to intercept and destroy the aircraft.
The international community swiftly called for de-escalation, with global powers urging restraint. A ceasefire was brokered with US President Donald Trump playing a key mediating role.
The agreement, which is still holding, also encourages both nations to resume dialogue on longstanding issues, including Kashmir.
Meanwhile, India has appointed veteran politician Shashi Tharoor to lead its own all-party delegation in presenting New Delhi’s case to the world.
