Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Türkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent developments in South Asia.
He said this during his warm and most cordial meeting with the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul today.
The Prime Minister lauded Turkiye's principled stance and the outpouring support of goodwill of the Turkish people for Pakistan and termed it as a source of great comfort and strength for Pakistan.
He highlighted the commitment and courage and the spirit of sacrifice of the armed forces of Pakistan and the resolute patriotism of the people Pakistan that was demonstrated in an unprecedented manner which contributed greatly to Pakistan's overwhelming victory in Marak-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in the defense of homeland.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasised 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 seventh session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, held in Islamabad on 13 February 2025.
Both sides agreed to take steps for achieving five billion dollars annual bilateral trade target as agreed earlier by the two leaders.
In addition to bilateral issues, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdogan 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.
The engagement reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The two leaders pledged to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples.
Turkish President Erdogan also hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Dolmabahce Palace to meet President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
On arrival at the place, the President of Turkiye greeted the Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatimi also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Istanbul on Saturday on a two-day visit to Turkiye. 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's visit is aimed at paying gratitude to the people of Turkiye and especially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their all-out support, as always, to Pakistan's principled position during the recent Pak-India tension.
PM Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a significant diplomatic journey on Sunday, departing from Lahore to Turkiye for the first leg of his official four-nation tour.
This crucial trip, spanning from May 25 to May 30, includes visits to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan.
The PM Office Media Wing confirmed the high-level delegation’s composition in an official statement.
During the course of this tour, Prime Minister Shehbaz is set to hold wide-ranging talks with the leadership of each host nation. These discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring developments on regional and international fronts.
The Foreign Office stated that the Prime Minister’s agenda includes expressing Pakistan’s deep gratitude for the unwavering support received from these friendly nations during the recent tensions with India.
This aspect of the tour reflects Islamabad’s commitment to consolidating diplomatic goodwill and strategic partnerships.
Following his engagements in Turkiye and Iran, the Prime Minister will head to Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in the second phase of his visit.
The tour is being viewed as a proactive effort to bolster cooperation in various domains, including the economy, defence, and climate resilience.
A key highlight of the Prime Minister’s schedule will be his participation in the International Conference on Glaciers, set to take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 29–30.