PM, Turkiye President discuss Afghanistan, exchange Eid greetings in phone call

• Premier Shehbaz highlights Turkiye’s role in Eid ceasefire with Afghanistan, condemning missile attacks and expressing solidarity with Turkiye

• Leaders urge regional dialogue and diplomatic solutions, exchange Eidul Fitr felicitations

• Discussions include Middle East tensions and regional stability as PM reiterates Pakistan’s readiness to support de-escalation efforts

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which they exchanged views on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and underscored Turkiye’s constructive role in promoting peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to state media.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the call focused on regional stability and the recently announced temporary ceasefire over the Eid days.

“The prime minister acknowledged Turkiye’s constructive role in promoting peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially in the recently announced temporary ceasefire during Eid,” the statement said.

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف اور ترک صدر رجب طیب اردوان کے درمیان عید کی مبارکباد کا تبادلہ

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے آج جمہوریہ ترکیہ کے صدر عزت مآب رجب طیب اردوان سے ٹیلیفون پر رابطہ کیا اور عیدالفطر کی مبارکباد دی.
انتہائی گرمجوش گفتگو کے دوران وزیراعظم نے صدر اردوان، ان کے اہلِ… pic.twitter.com/I77mM7KFoo

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 19, 2026

The development comes a day after Pakistan decided on a “temporary pause” in Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries,” including Turkiye.

During the conversation, PM Shehbaz reiterated his strong condemnation of the ongoing escalation in the region, particularly the missile attacks on Turkiye.

“The entire Pakistani nation stands in solidarity with their Turkish brothers and sisters in these challenging times,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

Both leaders urged the international community, particularly regional actors, to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.

PM Shehbaz also recalled Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan in February 2025, as well as his own visits to Turkiye in April and May 2025. He highlighted that both brotherly countries are working closely to strengthen bilateral ties across all spheres of mutual interest.

The statement added that both leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to promote peace, prosperity, and economic growth, both bilaterally and regionally. The prime minister also conveyed Eidul Fitr greetings to President Erdogan, his family, and the people of Turkiye.

Spoke with my dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye, this evening and conveyed warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to him, his family, and the brotherly people of Türkiye.

During our most cordial exchange, we discussed the rapidly evolving situation in…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 19, 2026

Later, in a post on his X account, PM Shehbaz wrote about the call:

“During our most cordial exchange, we discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. I strongly condemned the attacks on our brotherly country Turkiye, as well as other brotherly countries in the region. I reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with Turkiye and other brotherly Gulf countries, and conveyed our readiness to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and dialogue.

“We also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, and I acknowledged Turkiye’s constructive role in supporting peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly its contribution towards the recent temporary ceasefire during Eid days,” he added.