Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on key sectors such as defence, information technology, energy, and emerging technologies. During a joint press conference held in Ankara, both leaders emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation between Turkiye and Pakistan, reflecting the strong friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.
President Erdogan highlighted the significance of enhancing mutual contacts and revealed his intention to initiate joint defence projects with Pakistan. He underscored that both countries maintain aligned views on global issues, particularly their consistent support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. Condemning the ongoing violence in Gaza, Erdogan expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkiye for its unwavering support during Pakistan’s 2022 flood crisis, praising President Erdogan’s leadership and the rapid development achieved by Turkiye. Sharif stressed the need for collaborative efforts to combat terrorism and proposed the formulation of a global strategy to address the issue. He appreciated Turkiye’s cooperation in counter-terrorism initiatives and expressed optimism about future joint ventures in multiple sectors including defence, IT, energy, mining, and agriculture.
The discussions also reviewed the progress made since the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting, which was held in Islamabad in February 2025. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing implementation of decisions made during that summit. They reaffirmed mutual support on national and international issues, placing special focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for increased economic collaboration through bilateral investments and joint projects, particularly in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The meeting reflected a shared vision for a future of closer strategic and economic cooperation.
The Pakistani delegation included key officials such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yousuf Junaid. As a gesture of goodwill, President Erdogan hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation, marking a significant moment in the continuing partnership between the two countries.
