Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to leave for a three-day visit to Central Asia on July 2. The tour, which includes visits to Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, aims to bolster trade, investment, and diplomatic ties.

On the first leg of the tour, sources said, Prime Minister Sharif, accompanied by a delegation, will arrive in Tajikistan at the invitation of President Imam Ali Rahmonov. During his stay in Dushanbe, the PM is scheduled to hold meetings with President Rahmonov and other key officials, including Sirajuddin Mehruddin.

The sources said that discussions will focus on mutual interests, regional stability, promotion of trade and investment, and the situation in Afghanistan. Both nations share concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and the use of Afghan territory for terrorism, which remains a significant security challenge.

The prime minister's delegation will engage in talks aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment. The meetings will also cover global and regional issues, reflecting the strategic importance of Pakistan-Tajikistan relations.

Following his visit to Tajikistan, PM Sharif will head to Kazakhstan for the second part of his tour, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit for heads of state in Astana on July 3 and 4.

The summit will see participation from several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains uncertain.

On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to meet with various world leaders, including Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Additionally, he will hold bilateral meetings with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to discuss enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.