- PM Shehbaz, Erdogan pledge to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity
- Premier Shehbaz expresses gratitude to govt and people of Turkiye for ‘unwavering support’ during recent conflict with India
- PM, President Erdogan reaffirm their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including Kashmir dispute and situation in Gaza
- Both leaders follow up on the implementation of key decisions taken during 7th session of HLSCC, held in Islamabad on 13 Feb
- Agreed to take steps for achieving $5 billion annual bilateral trade target as set earlier by the two leaders
- Turkish President hosts dinner in honour of PM Shehbaz and his delegation
ISTABUL: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday renewed the shared commitment to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye, state media reported.
The PM arrived in Türkiye on a two-day visit as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, where he will express his gratitude for supporting Pakistan during the recent conflict with India, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
According to state broadcaster PTV News, the PM and Erdogan had a delegation-level meeting in which Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar took part.
“The meeting was “warm and most cordial” and both nations reaffirmed the “deep-rooted, historic,” and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity,” according to PTV News.
The two leaders pledged to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples, the PMO said.
The engagement reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity, it added.
Premier Shehbaz Sharif, who was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Türkiye for their “unwavering support” to Pakistan during the recent developments in South Asia, underscoring the “strength of the fraternal bonds” between the two nations. He lauded Turkiye’s principled stance and the outpouring of support and goodwill of the Turkish people for Pakistan and termed it as a “source of great comfort and strength for Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the commitment, courage, and spirit of sacrifice of the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the resolute patriotism of the people of Pakistan that was demonstrated in an unprecedented manner, which contributed greatly to Pakistan’s overwhelming victory in Maraka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in the defense of our homeland, the PMO statement read.
Emphasizing the need for further strengthening economic cooperation, particularly through joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment, the Prime Minister highlighted key sectors including renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and potential.
The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership to greater heights.
They also followed up on the implementation of key decisions taken during the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), held in Islamabad on 13 February 2025. Both sides agreed to take steps for achieving the 5 billion USD annual bilateral trade target as agreed earlier by the two leaders.
In addition to bilateral issues, Prime Minister Sharif 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. They also expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s ambassador to Türkiye, Dr. Yusuf Junaid were also part of Pakistan’s delegation.
Turkish President Erdogan also hosted dinner in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Taking to X, the PM wrote that he expressed gratitude to Erdogan for Türkiye’s support during the brief conflict with India earlier this month.
“I conveyed the sentiments of gratitude from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brothers and sisters,” the prime minister wrote.
“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,” he added.
Earlier, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that upon his arrival at the Istanbul Airport, the prime minister was received by Turkish Minister for National Defence Yasar Guler, Governor Istanbul Davut Gul, President of Pakistan-Turkiye Cultural Association Burhan Kayaturk, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Yousaf Junaid, Consul General Istanbul Nouman Aslam, senior officials of the Turkish government and Pakistani diplomats posted in Turkiye.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today,” the statement said. “The two leaders will discuss further expanding cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan in diverse fields, including defense, economy, tourism, and culture.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif left for Türkiye on Sunday on the first leg of his four-nation tour, state media reported.
The premier is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Radio Pakistan reported.
Premier Shehbaz will visit Türkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan from May 25-30, according to the Foreign Office. The tour follows diplomatic support voiced by three of these countries for Pakistan during the recent military confrontation with India.
وزیر اعظم پاکستان محمد شہباز شریف چار ملکی دورے کے پہلے مرحلے میں ترکیہ کے دورے پر روانہ. انکے ہمراہ نائب وزیراعظم و وزیر خارجہ محمد اسحاق ڈار، وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات و نشریات عطا اللہ تارڑ اور معاون خصوصی طارق فاطمی ہیں۔
وزیر اعظم پاکستان محمد شہباز شریف 25 سے 30 مئی 2025 تک ترکی،… pic.twitter.com/6eW3FRTLFn
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 25, 2025
During the visit, the Prime Minister will have wide-ranging discussions with the leaders of these countries on entire range of issues, covering bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
He will also have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by the friendly countries during the recent crisis with India, it added.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks with PM Shehbaz in Istanbul later today, Reuters reported, citing Erdogan’s head of communications.
“During the meeting, bilateral relations and regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism, will be discussed,” Fahrettin Altun said on X.
Altun said “various aspects of bilateral relations between Türkiye and Pakistan will be evaluated,” according to a Google translation of his post.
Joint steps taken within the scope of the Pakistan-Türkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council as per the two leaders’ last meeting in February will be reviewed, the Turkish official said.
In the last leg of his tour, PM Shehbaz will visit Tajikistan where he is scheduled to attend the International Conference on Glaciers being held in its capital, Dushanbe, on May 29 and 30.
As Islamabad and New Delhi tensions escalated and India launched deadly strikes on Pakistan on May 6, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had conveyed his solidarity to the prime minister and said it supported Pakistan’s “calm and restrained policies”.
Following the tit-for-tat airbase attacks and a US-brokered ceasefire between the two neighbours, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev had “warmly congratulated PM Shehbaz upon Pakistan’s remarkable success”, according to the PM Office.
Iran had also offered to mediate during the escalation and paid a visit to both Islamabad and New Delhi in peace efforts, which were appreciated by PM Shehbaz and the military’s spokesperson.
DPM phones Uzbek FM, discuss bilateral ties
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on Sunday held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.
During the conversation, the two leaders discussed existing bilateral relations, particularly Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line Project, a Foreign Office statement stated.
They expressed the hope that the framework agreement for the regional connectivity project will be finalized soon. Views were also exchanged on the current regional situation, it added.
