ISTANBUL, Turkiye: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the multifaceted cooperation between their nations and resolved to elevate the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye to new heights.
Prime Minister Sharif, who arrived on an official two-day visit to Turkiye, held a warm and most cordial meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The two leaders pledged to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, 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 Bunyanum Marsoos in the defence of our homeland,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office statement.
Joint ventures and bilateral investment
Emphasising 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,” the Prime Minister’s Office statement added.
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 to achieve a $5 billion annual bilateral trade target as agreed earlier by the two leaders.
Pakistan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the $5 billion annual bilateral trade target set earlier by the two leaders@PakinTurkiye @PakPMO @CMShehbaz#PMShehbazInTurkiye #RadioPakistanhttps://t.co/M1k6wmBVAs pic.twitter.com/mXxalmpjdS
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 25, 2025
Pakistan, Turkiye call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
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, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office stated in a statement.
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.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yusuf Junaid were also part of the Pakistan delegation.
Turkish President Erdogan also hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Regional and global developments
According to Turkiye’s Communications Directorate, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing key regional and global developments.
President Erdogan emphasised the importance of working toward the two countries’ shared goal of expanding trade volume to $5 billion.
Turkish President Erdogan expresses his appreciation for Pakistan’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, stating that Türkiye is striving to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as possible during his meeting with Pakistani PM Sharif in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/WH6RgIMiVg
— TRT World (@trtworld) May 25, 2025
“We will continue taking steps to reach our trade target and deepen collaboration in energy, transportation, and defence,” Erdogan told Sharif during the talks, cited by the directorate.
Closer cooperation on counterterrorism and connectivity
The Turkish president underscored the value of increased cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, including intelligence sharing, training, and technological support. He noted that such solidarity serves the interests of both nations.
Highlighting regional connectivity, Erdogan stressed the importance of making the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad railway line more efficient and operational, pointing to its potential for boosting regional trade and integration.
In the education sector, the Turkish leader called for concrete steps that could further enrich bilateral ties and promote long-term people-to-people exchange.
Shared stance on Palestine, regional Stability
President Erdogan also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s principled position on the Palestine issue.
He briefed Prime Minister Sharif on Turkiye’s ongoing efforts to ensure that urgent humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, amid continued conflict in the region.
Prime Minister @CMShehbaz has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Türkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent developments in South Asia@PakinTurkiye @PakPMO @CMShehbaz#PMShehbazInTurkiye #RadioPakistanhttps://t.co/M1k6wmBVAs pic.twitter.com/Ie8TYuezoK
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 25, 2025
PM Sharif thanks Erdogan
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.
Had the honor of meeting my dear brother President Reccep Tayipp Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan India standoff which resulted in Pakistan's overwhelming victory Alhamdolillah!Conveyed the sentiments of… pic.twitter.com/4OvkBZxuAo
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 25, 2025
Earlier today, PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Turkiye on the first leg of his four-nation regional tour aimed at thanking Pakistan’s allies for their support during the recent standoff with India.
Turkiye’s Minister for National Defence Yasar Guler welcomed PM Shehbaz upon his arrival at the Istanbul airport.
PM Sharif’s four-nation tour
Besides Turkiye, PM Shehbaz would also visit Azerbaijan, Iran and Tajikistan. This multi-nation tour is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional issues.
“During the visit, the prime minister will have wide-ranging discussions with the leaders of these countries on an entire range of issues covering bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance,” said the PM Office Media Wing in a press release.
The premier, during his visit to these countries, will have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgement for the support extended to Pakistan by the friendly countries during the recent standoff with India.
He will also attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to be held on 29-30 May.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for Pakistan, assuring Islamabad that Turkiye would, God willing, stand by Pakistan in both good times and bad.
Azerbaijan had also announced full support and strong solidarity with the Pakistani government and people, despite boycotts by India, while Iran had extended the offer to mediate and de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and India, which spiralled into the worst fighting in decades.
Pakistan-India conflict
It is pertinent here to mention that Pakistan has launched a diplomatic campaign to discuss with its friendly countries about India’s aggression towards Pakistan on unfounded allegations of the latter’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
At least 26 people were killed in the April 22 attack on tourists in the scenic part of IIOJK, Pahalgam.
Following which, India immediately blamed Pakistan for the attack without providing a shred of evidence corroborating the claim, which has been denied by Islamabad, and launched a series of small cross-border attacks before launching missile strikes inside the country.
This led to a short-lived battle between the nuclear-armed neighbouring countries, which finally stopped through the intervention of the United States, as asserted by US President Donald Trump.
