Erdogan offers to help restore Pak-Afghan ceasefire amid regional turmoil

-- Says Türkiye would stand by Pakistan in anti-terror fight

-- Islamabad and Ankara call for restraint over Middle East escalation

-- Afghanistan tensions in focus as ceasefire falters

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a key telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reaffirmed Ankara’s unwavering support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and pledged assistance in restoring the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to a statement shared by the Turkish Presidency on X, President Erdogan condemned the recent terror attacks in Pakistan and assured that Türkiye would continue standing “by Pakistan in its anti-terror fight.” He also said Türkiye would contribute to the re-establishment of the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire that had previously been reached through Turkish diplomatic initiatives.

The two leaders also discussed the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East. President Erdogan underscored the importance of re-engaging diplomacy following the conflicts triggered by attacks against Iran, stressing that renewed dialogue would be “extremely beneficial” for regional stability. He reiterated Türkiye's readiness to provide all possible support to facilitate diplomatic efforts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Iran and described subsequent attacks on brotherly Gulf countries as regrettable. He informed President Erdogan about his outreach to Gulf leadership and reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity with them, as well as Islamabad’s readiness to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation and dialogue.

Both leaders agreed that maximum restraint by all parties was imperative to prevent further escalation.

The conversation also covered recent developments in Afghanistan, where relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban remain at their lowest point since the latter assumed power four years ago.

Following border clashes last October along the 2,600-kilometre frontier, Türkiye and Qatar had stepped in to mediate. While initial talks in Doha produced a fragile ceasefire, subsequent rounds failed to yield a durable mechanism for verification, with the third round concluding without a concrete agreement.

Tensions flared again after Pakistan conducted targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Nangarhar and Paktika on February 22, prompting cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26.

Pakistan Signals No Rush to End Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
A senior security official stated on Monday that Pakistan was in no hurry to conclude Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and would continue cross-border actions against terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan until Kabul provides verifiable guarantees against terrorism facilitation.

“Operations in Afghanistan will end when Afghanistan’s Taliban regime provides verifiable assurance of compliance to Pakistan’s demand of quitting facilitation of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan. We are in no hurry,” the official said.

He maintained that Pakistan’s operations were intelligence-driven and targeted specific infrastructure supporting terrorist groups, rejecting claims of indiscriminate strikes.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close and frequent contact as they pursue coordinated efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.