Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed strong support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara on Tuesday.
PM Shehbaz, accompanied by a senior delegation, arrived in the Turkish capital earlier today for a two-day official visit. The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
“We welcome Shehbaz Sharif on his visit to Türkiye. Our mutual engagement reflects the deep-rooted friendship between our nations,” President Erdogan stated during a joint press conference with the Pakistani premier.
Highlighting Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism, President Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s backing of Islamabad’s efforts to combat militancy. He also noted that Pakistan and Türkiye share common positions on several global issues.
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked President Erdogan for the warm reception and praised Türkiye’s development under Erdogan’s leadership. “I deeply appreciate Türkiye’s continued cooperation in counter-terrorism,” Shehbaz said, adding that both nations agreed to collaborate in key sectors such as minerals, information technology, and more.
Prior to the press briefing, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting where they expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in their multifaceted relationship and reiterated their shared commitment to deepening the strategic partnership.
The discussions emphasized long-standing fraternal ties and explored avenues to enhance economic cooperation, including joint ventures and increased bilateral investment. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of working together in energy, mining, defense, agriculture, regional connectivity, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Both leaders also reviewed progress made since the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) held in Islamabad on February 13, 2025, and expressed contentment over the implementation of its decisions.
Reaffirming their mutual support on regional and international issues of interest, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz pledged to further bolster Pakistan-Türkiye relations, aiming to foster peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.
