Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reiterated their commitment to further enhance the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye. Prime Minister Shehbaz, currently on an official visit to Turkiye, engaged in a warm and cordial meeting with President Erdogan. Both leaders pledged to continue their close collaboration for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their respective populations. This interaction served to reaffirm the profound, historical, and fraternal ties uniting Pakistan and Turkiye, which are grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatimi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his sincere gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye for their steadfast support to Pakistan amidst recent developments in South Asia, underscoring the strength of the fraternal bonds between the two nations. He commended Turkiye’s principled stance and the widespread goodwill demonstrated by the Turkish people towards Pakistan, describing it as a significant source of comfort and strength for Pakistan. The Prime Minister highlighted the dedication, courage, and spirit of sacrifice exhibited by Pakistan’s armed forces, alongside the resolute patriotism of the Pakistani people, which contributed immensely to Pakistan’s decisive victory in Marak-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in defense of the homeland.
Emphasizing the necessity of further bolstering economic cooperation, particularly through joint ventures and increased bilateral investment, the Prime Minister identified key sectors such as renewable energy, information technology, defense production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and significant potential. The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their firm resolve to elevate the strategic partnership to new heights. They also followed up on the implementation of crucial decisions made during the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), held in Islamabad on February 13, 2025. Both sides agreed to undertake measures aimed at achieving the previously agreed annual bilateral trade target of $5 billion.
Beyond bilateral matters, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan discussed pressing regional and international developments. Both leaders reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Turkish President Erdogan also hosted a dinner in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz and his accompanying delegation. Subsequently, taking to his official X account, the Prime Minister extended his gratitude to the Turkish President for his unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent Pakistan-India standoff, which culminated in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory. “Conveyed the sentiments of gratitude from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brothers and sisters,” he added. The premier further stated, “We also reviewed the ongoing progress of our multifaceted bilateral engagements particularly in trade and investment and reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen these unshakable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation.”
