Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an enhancement of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, particularly in areas such as information technology, agriculture, and green technology, to attract foreign investment and promote joint ventures. This emphasis on expanding cooperation came during the Prime Minister’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the historic and enduring fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye, which has withstood the test of time. He expressed deep admiration for the progress Türkiye has made under President Erdogan’s leadership.
The two leaders reaffirmed their support for each other on core national issues, including Türkiye’s backing of Pakistan’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s support for Türkiye regarding the Cyprus issue. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to the Palestinian cause, condemning Israeli actions and emphasizing support for the Palestinian people’s aspirations.
Sharif and Erdogan discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and Syria, agreeing to continue working together to deepen economic, trade, and defense cooperation. They also reiterated their goal of achieving a bilateral trade target of five billion US dollars.
In his remarks, President Erdogan emphasized the deep-rooted brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye, with the Turkish people holding a special place for Pakistan. He commended Pakistan’s progress under Prime Minister Sharif’s leadership and appreciated the country’s humanitarian support for Palestine and Lebanon.
Prime Minister Sharif also renewed his invitation for President Erdogan to visit Pakistan for the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.
