Pakistan and Turkiye reiterated their resolve to elevate their bilateral strategic partnership to greater heights during an official visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Istanbul on Sunday, part of a four-nation tour acknowledging support for Islamabad during its recent conflict with Delhi.
Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and key cabinet ministers, Sharif commenced his tour with a two-day visit to Turkiye. In his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he expressed gratitude to the government and the people of Turkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent conflict with India.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier underscored the strength of the fraternal bond between the two nations and lauded Turkiye’s principled stance and the outpouring of the Turkish people’s goodwill for Pakistan. Describing it as “a source of great comfort and strength” for Pakistan, he highlighted the courage and the spirit of sacrifice of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the resolute patriotism of the Pakistani people. This was demonstrated in an unprecedented manner during the conflict, he said, adding it contributed greatly to Pakistan’s overwhelming victory in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
The statement said both leaders had conducted a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Kashmir dispute. They pledged to continue working together for regional peace, and the shared prosperity of their peoples. “The two leaders reiterated their resolve to elevate the [bilateral] strategic partnership to greater heights,” read the statement, adding both sides had “renewed commitment to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye.”
Emphasizing the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly through joint ventures and enhanced investment, the prime minister highlighted key sectors, including energy, information technology, defense production, infrastructure, and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and potential. The two leaders also followed up on the implementation of key decisions taken during the seventh session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Islamabad in February.
Apart from bilateral issues, the two leaders discussed pressing regional and international developments. They expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population. They also presided over a delegation-level meeting between the two sides.
“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,” the statement added.
Upon the completion of their Turkiye visit, the prime minister and his delegation will visit Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, with the tour concluding on May 30.