ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye during a high-level meeting in Ankara on Tuesday. The leaders pledged to expand collaboration across key sectors including energy, defense, information technology, and infrastructure.
Strategic Dialogue to Translate Vision into Action
Speaking at a joint press conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz said his visit to the “historic and vibrant” city of Ankara allowed both countries to assess progress made since the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting held earlier this year in Islamabad.
“We agreed to work closely to translate these targets into actions, with further investment in energy, IT, infrastructure, and mines and minerals,” said the prime minister. He expressed confidence that the two nations would meet their goal of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Defense, Counterterrorism, and Global Unity
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized defense and security as foundational pillars of the Pakistan-Türkiye relationship and thanked Ankara for its continued support in counterterrorism efforts. Referring to a recent terror attack in Balochistan, he underscored the urgency of collaborative global action against militant threats.
“It is high time that we team up our efforts to beat the menace for all times to come,” the prime minister stated, stressing the need for a united stance against terrorism not just in Pakistan and Türkiye, but globally.
Joint Stance on Palestine and Regional Stability
Both leaders voiced grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid.
“They also renewed their call for viable and independent and contiguous Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Shareef as its Capital,” Shehbaz said, calling it the only fair and lasting resolution in line with UN and OIC resolutions.
President Erdogan praised Pakistan’s firm support for the Palestinian cause, stating, “We always appreciated Pakistan for its strongest reaction to the genocide of Palestinian people and its staunch support at global forums.”
Expanding Economic and Development Cooperation
President Erdogan recalled signing 25 cooperation agreements with Pakistan during his February visit, covering sectors such as energy, education, water, health, and defense. He expressed optimism over the implementation of these agreements and reiterated Türkiye’s interest in joint projects, particularly in free economic zones.
Highlighting the growing trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan, President Erdogan said, “We will take new steps of collaboration among Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye in diverse fields of cooperation with mutual consultations.”
Long-standing Bonds and Mutual Support
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed deep gratitude for Türkiye’s humanitarian assistance during Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2010 and 2022. He acknowledged the personal involvement of President Erdogan and his spouse in relief efforts, including the establishment of mobile hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Punjab and Sindh.
Both leaders also affirmed their countries’ mutual support on regional issues, with Türkiye backing Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and Islamabad supporting the Turkish Cypriots’ rights.
Looking Ahead
Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its strategic partnership with Türkiye. “My visit reinforced our resolve to deepen and diversify our ties, and I look forward to translating this shared vision into tangible outcomes for the benefit of our people,” he said.
President Erdogan extended condolences to the victims of terrorism in Pakistan and welcomed the Pakistani delegation warmly, calling the visit a testament to the exceptional level of cooperation between the two nations.
