Marking his first official visit to Turkey since he took office, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif landed in Ankara Tuesday for a three-day trip accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Minister for Commerce and Investment Naveed Qamar. The premier’s arrival coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

After defeating his predecessor Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote, Sharif needs international economic and political support to consolidate his coalition government’s standing and stabilize it enough to last through the term ending in August 2023.

Meanwhile, the new government is facing spiraling inflation and a worrying economic crisis inherited from the previous administration. Thus Sharif is seeking investment and trying to grow trade ties with Pakistan’s closest allies. 

Having a rich historical background tracing back to the 19th century, relations between Islamabad and Ankara have remained virtually unaffected by changes of government. However, it is worth mentioning that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been on excellent terms with Sharif’s elder brother Nawaz during his stints in power as prime minister.