Ankara: During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official two-day visit to Türkiye, Islamabad and Ankara have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, minerals, and information technology. Türkiye also expressed interest in initiating joint projects in the defense sector.
At a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Türkiye's consistent support to Pakistan is in times of crisis and praised the country's remarkable development under Erdoğan's leadership.
"We are grateful for the warm welcome in Ankara and deeply appreciate President Erdoğan’s unwavering support during challenging times," said PM Sharif. He recalled Erdoğan’s visits to Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2010 and 2022 as a symbol of strong solidarity between the two nations.
On regional issues, Sharif strongly condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza, stating that over 50,000 innocent Palestinians have been martyred. He called for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized the urgency of peace in the region.
The Pakistani premier also expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s support in counter-terrorism efforts and called for joint action against global terrorism.
In his remarks, President Erdoğan warmly welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between the two nations. He emphasized that strong bilateral engagements reflect the strength of this friendship.
"Türkiye supports Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and remains ready to extend all possible assistance," Erdoğan stated. He reiterated Türkiye's desire to pursue joint defense projects and highlighted the alignment of both countries on key global issues.
PM Sharif arrived in Türkiye on Tuesday at the invitation of President Erdoğan. He was received at Ankara Airport by Turkish Defense Minister, along with senior officials, the Deputy Governor, and members of the Pak-Turk Cultural Association.
