PM Shehbaz to embark on Central Asia tour from July 2

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for a three-day tour of two Central Asian countries from July 2, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

According to sources, a delegation will also accompany the prime minister on this tour.

The prime minister will touch down in Tajikistan on July 2 as part of the first leg of his tour, the sources said.

Shehbaz Sharif is visiting Tajikistan at the invitation of Tajik President Imam Ali Rahmanov, the sources added.

In the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also meet Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirajuddin Mehruddin.

He will also meet Tajik President Imam Ali Rahmanov in Dushanbe.

In the meetings, the situation in Afghanistan, mutual engagements and promotion of trade and investment will be discussed, the sources said. Global and regional issues of mutual interest will be discussed in meetings with Tajik leaders.

Both Pakistan and Tajikistan have serious concerns over the situation in Afghanistan, the sources said, adding the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and the use of Afghan territory for terrorism is a headache for both the countries.

Shehbaz Sharif later will go to Kazakhstan for a two-day visit.

The prime minister will visit Kazakhstan on July 3 and 4 to participate in the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, the sources said.

The sources further said that many world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the meeting.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the SCO Summit is doubtful.

On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to meet several world leaders.

During his visit to Kazakhstan, Shehbaz Sharif will also meet Kazakh President Kassym Jomrat Tokayev and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, the sources said.

Reporter: Anwar Abbas