Istanbul — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed their strong commitment to further enhance the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye during a high-level meeting in Istanbul. The two leaders pledged to work closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, on a two-day visit as part of a four-nation diplomatic tour, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Turkish government and people for their steadfast support during Pakistan’s recent conflict with India. He described the solidarity shown by Turkiye as a vital source of strength for Pakistan.
The leaders reviewed progress on key decisions from the seventh session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Islamabad earlier this year. They agreed on accelerating efforts to achieve the target of five billion dollars in annual bilateral trade, focusing on expanding joint ventures and investments in sectors such as renewable energy, information technology, defense production, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Both officials reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Kashmir dispute and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access for the affected Palestinian population.
Accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi.
The visit included a warm dinner hosted by President Erdogan in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz and his delegation. The two leaders emphasized the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, built on shared values and mutual respect.
Prime Minister Shehbaz’s tour also includes visits to Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan, where he will further discuss bilateral relations and regional cooperation. The trip comes in the wake of diplomatic support from these countries during the recent escalation between Pakistan and India.
Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich about strengthening bilateral relations and advancing the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line project, highlighting continued efforts to boost regional connectivity.
This renewed engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye underscores their resolve to deepen cooperation and work together for peace and development across the region.