Pakistan-Türkiye ties grew stronger in testing times, says PM Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye have stood by each other in difficult times. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this while addressing a dinner at the residence of the Turkish ambassador on Türkiye’s 103rd Republic Day. He said the two countries wanted to take economic and defence cooperation to new heights to strengthen their relations further. He said the joint defence agreement reflected the shared resolve of both countries on regional security.

The prime minister congratulated the Turkish leadership and people on Republic Day. He said the relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye was not limited to diplomatic ties. Its roots lay in shared history, mutual respect and a tradition of standing by each other in hard times.

According to him, the two countries continue to cooperate in various fields, including trade, the economy, education, culture and defence. He said this cooperation needed to be expanded further.

Historic bond and solidarity in natural disasters

Shehbaz Sharif said that during the Khilafat Movement, the Muslims of the subcontinent made sacrifices to support Türkiye. He said the Turkish people showed full solidarity during the earthquakes and devastating floods in Pakistan. He recalled that Türkiye took immediate steps to help Pakistan during natural disasters.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the flood-affected areas, while the Turkish First Lady, Emine Erdogan, donated her necklace to help the victims.

Mentioning Türkiye’s support during last year’s Marka-e-Haq, the prime minister said the Turkish leadership and people stood with Pakistan when it faced aggression. He said relations between the two countries were founded on mutual trust and solidarity.

Economic cooperation

He said steps were also being taken to increase economic ties between the two countries. In this regard, he referred to the announcement, made during his visit to Istanbul in July, of setting up the Tayyip Erdogan Economic Zone in Karachi. According to him, relations could be strengthened further by promoting trade and economic cooperation.

Addressing the event, Turkish Ambassador Dr Irfan Neziroglu said the people of Pakistan and Türkiye had always regarded each other’s pain as their own. He said the aim of both countries was to turn their historic friendship into a lasting strategic partnership, and the joint defence agreement was an important example in this direction. The Turkish ambassador also read out a special message from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

At the start of the dinner, the national anthems of Pakistan and Türkiye were played. The prime minister and other participants cut a cake together at the event. Music was also arranged, which the participants appreciated.