ANKARA, Apr 22(Alliance News): Pakistan and Turkiye on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in key areas, including trade, defence, energy, emerging technologies, and humanitarian issues.
The renewed pledge came during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
The meeting took place as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s two-day official visit to Turkiye, where both leaders reviewed the progress made since the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting held in Islamabad on February 13, 2025.
During their discussion, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the upward momentum of multifaceted bilateral relations, calling it a reflection of the deep-rooted brotherly bond between the two nations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for closer economic cooperation, urging increased joint ventures and bilateral investments, particularly in the energy, mining, agriculture, and defence sectors.
He also highlighted the growing importance of regional and bilateral connectivity to boost trade and enhance people-to-people exchanges.
He said Pakistan sees great potential in expanding cooperation with Turkiye in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital technologies, which are shaping the global economy.
President Erdogan warmly welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz and expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s strong support to Turkiye on matters of mutual concern.
He acknowledged the progress achieved through bilateral mechanisms like the HLSCC and called for further institutional coordination to fast-track joint projects.
Both leaders discussed the follow-up actions taken since the last HLSCC meeting, underlining the importance of turning commitments into concrete outcomes for the benefit of both nations.
The conversation also touched on regional and global developments. The two leaders exchanged views on pressing international issues, reaffirming their support for each other’s national interests.
One of the central points of their discussion was the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis and jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the affected Palestinian population.
President Erdogan appreciated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, including its recent humanitarian assistance to Palestine. Both leaders agreed that the international community must play a more active role in stopping the violence and ensuring peace in the region.
The Pakistani delegation accompanying the Prime Minister included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yusuf Junaid.
As a mark of deep bilateral friendship, President Erdogan hosted a formal banquet in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the visiting Pakistani delegation.
The visit and the high-level talks are expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation in both public and private sectors of the two countries. Observers believe this engagement will help foster peace, development, and regional stability.
