PM Shehbaz holds meeting with President Erdogan in Istanbul Both leaders agree to further deepen multifaceted coop Shehbaz appreciates Turkish president for supporting Pakistan during escalation with India PM will visit Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan till May 30.
ISTABUL – Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to further strengthen their strategic partnership and deepen bilateral multifaceted cooperation for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday held a meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan here on Sunday.
PM Shehbaz, who arrived on an official two-day visit to Turkiye, held a warm and most cordial meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The PM was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir
Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Advisor to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yusuf Junaid were also part of the PM’s delegation. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples.
The engagement reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity. PM Shehbaz expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye 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 of 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 and courage and the 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 Marak-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos in the defence of our homeland.
Emphasizing the need to further strengthen 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 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.
Earlier, state broadcaster PTV News reported that 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.
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 $5 billion annual bilateral trade target as agreed earlier by the two leaders.
In addition to bilateral issues, PM 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 dinner in honour of PM Shehbaz and the accompanying delegation.
Later, taking to his official X account, the PM thanked the Turkish president for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff which resulted in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory.
“Conveyed the sentiments of gratitude from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brothers and sisters,” he added.
“We also reviewed the ongoing progress of our multifaceted bilateral engagements particularly in trade and investment and reaffirmed our resolve to reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen these unshakable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation,” the premier added.
The two countries would strive to boost cooperation, particularly in defence, energy and transportation, Erdogan’s office said.
Turkey has strong ties with Pakistan, both being largely Muslim countries and sharing historical links, and expressed solidarity with it during its recent clashes with India.
Erdogan’s office said the president told Sharif it was in the interest of Turkey and Pakistan to increase solidarity in education, intelligence sharing and technological support in the fight against terrorism.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and intelligence agency chief Ibrahim Kalin also attended the meeting.
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.
Earlier, upon his arrival at Istanbul airport, he was received by Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Guler, Governor Istanbul, President of Pakistan-Turkiye Cultural Association, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye, Consul General Istanbul, senior officials of the Turkish government and Pakistani diplomats posted in Turkiye.
The prime minister will visit Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan till 30th of this month.
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.
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.
The prime minister will also be attending the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to be held on 29th and 30th of this month.
