Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed their commitment to “take the bilateral strategic partnership to new heights” during a “warm and friendly meeting” between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday.
Shehbaz, joined by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and several key cabinet ministers, kicked off his two-day official visit to Turkiye as part of a broader four-nation regional tour, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (Press Wing).
During his meeting with President Erdogan, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Turkish government and its people for their steadfast support to Pakistan during the recent conflict with India, as noted in the statement.
Emphasizing the strong fraternal ties between the two countries, Shehbaz praised Turkiye’s principled position and the overwhelming goodwill shown by the Turkish people towards Pakistan. He described this support as “a source of immense comfort and strength” for Pakistan, the statement continued.
He also highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of the Pakistan Armed Forces, along with the unwavering patriotism of the Pakistani people, which was showcased in an extraordinary way and played a significant role in Pakistan’s decisive victory in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
The two leaders took a deep dive into the full range of their bilateral relations, reaffirming their strong support for each other’s key issues, including the Kashmir dispute. They committed to working closely together for regional peace and the shared prosperity of their people.
“The two leaders reiterated their determination to elevate the strategic partnership to new heights,” the statement noted, adding that both sides renewed their commitment to further enhance the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye.
Highlighting the importance of strengthening their bilateral ties, especially through joint ventures and increased investment, Shehbaz pointed out key sectors like energy, information technology, defense production, infrastructure, and agriculture as areas ripe for collaboration and mutual benefit.
The statement highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan also revisited the key decisions made during the seventh session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), which took place in Islamabad on February 13, 2025.
Beyond discussing bilateral matters, the two leaders addressed urgent regional and international issues. They voiced their serious concerns regarding the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, advocating for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access for the affected Palestinian population.
The Pakistani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Junaid. Additionally, President Erdogan graciously hosted a dinner for Prime Minister Shehbaz and his team.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “The engagement between the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity.”
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