ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its long-standing strategic partnership with Türkiye during a joint press stakeout with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Türkiye share an “extraordinary bond” rooted in centuries of shared history, faith, mutual sacrifice, and brotherhood. He noted that Türkiye has consistently supported Pakistan during difficult times, including wars, earthquakes, and floods.
Praising President Erdoğan’s leadership, Shehbaz Sharif said Türkiye has made significant progress in economic, technological, and strategic fields under his guidance.
Both leaders held comprehensive discussions on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and industrial collaboration, reaffirming their commitment to achieving a bilateral trade target of $5 billion.
On regional issues, the Prime Minister said the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” reflects a shared belief that dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect are essential for lasting peace and stability in the region. He also expressed Pakistan’s support for Türkiye on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, while thanking Ankara for its consistent support on Jammu and Kashmir.
President Erdoğan, in his remarks, congratulated Pakistan for its role in supporting the outcome of the mediation process and welcomed the peace achieved through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, saying it brought relief to the international community. He also condemned continued attacks on Gaza and expressed concern over attempts to undermine the agreement.
Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye remains committed to promoting regional peace and stability and said lasting solutions require sincere participation from regional countries.
On economic cooperation, he highlighted ongoing work on establishing a Special Economic Zone in Karachi for Turkish investors, alongside efforts to expand trade. He added that Türkiye encourages greater investment in Pakistan and views defense cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral relations.
Both countries also agreed to deepen collaboration in energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technology, signaling an expansion of their strategic and economic partnership.
