By The South Asia Times

ANKARA -  Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum today, as Pakistan intensifies its diplomatic efforts to extend the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace agreement.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed in an official press release that the bilateral meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar, and other senior officials.

The Turkish side was represented by Foreign Minister H.E. Hakan Fidan and senior Turkish dignitaries.

According to the PMO statement, President Erdoğan welcomed the Prime Minister to Türkiye and thanked him for his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which has grown into a major global diplomatic platform.

President Erdoğan praised Prime Minister Sharif’s peace efforts and affirmed that Türkiye would continue to support Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative aimed at bringing stability to a region long plagued by conflict.

The Turkish leader’s endorsement is significant, coming just days after Pakistan’s military chief visited Tehran—a visit that preceded Iran’s announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and linking the move to the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Erdoğan for his warm invitation and traditional Turkish hospitality, and congratulated him on the forum’s success.

The two leaders exchanged detailed views on recent regional developments, particularly the evolving situation in the Middle East. The Prime Minister briefed President Erdoğan on the latest updates regarding efforts to extend the existing ceasefire and resume negotiations toward a formal peace agreement.

“The two leaders emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing the current window of opportunity to advance a durable and lasting regional peace,” the PMO press release stated.

Reaffirming the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations.

In a key decision, they agreed to convene the 8th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Ankara later this year. The HLSCC, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Turkish President, serves as the highest decision-making body guiding Pakistan-Türkiye relations.

The leaders also emphasized the need to expedite the implementation of ongoing initiatives and explore new opportunities to deepen economic engagement, including trade, defense cooperation, and energy projects.

The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their resolve to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye, building on their fraternal ties and a shared vision for peace and prosperity in the region.

Observers note that the timing of the meeting—following Pakistan’s recent diplomatic outreach to Iran and the subsequent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, positions Islamabad as an increasingly influential mediator in Middle Eastern affairs.

Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to participate in a high-level panel on regional security at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum tomorrow, where he is expected to elaborate further on Pakistan’s peace initiative.