ASHGABAT, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held a wide-ranging meeting with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of an international forum in Ashgabat, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and jointly advancing regional peace.
The meeting took place as the prime minister addressed the International Conference on Peace and Trust, marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025 and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. In his speech, he urged the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to honour their counter-terrorism commitments, warning that terrorism was once again “raising its head—this time from Afghan soil.”
Pakistan–Türkiye Partnership Reaffirmed
During their warm and cordial meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan emphasized the historic and fraternal ties between the two nations, rooted in shared values and strategic cooperation. The prime minister expressed satisfaction over frequent leadership-level interactions this year and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to deepen collaboration with Türkiye in political, economic, energy, defence, and investment sectors.
He welcomed the convening of the 16th session of the Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Ministerial Commission and stressed timely implementation of decisions taken at the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Identifying energy, petroleum, and minerals as priority areas, he appreciated Turkish investment interest and said Pakistan was keen to benefit from Türkiye’s experience in power sector reforms, particularly the privatization of distribution companies. Both sides agreed to hold ministerial-level engagements soon.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also underscored the importance of enhanced regional connectivity, noting that the revival of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul rail corridor reflected shared economic and trade ambitions.
During the exchange of regional views, the prime minister lauded President Erdogan’s leadership on efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and thanked Türkiye for facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. He maintained that sustainable peace would only be possible when Pakistan’s security concerns were addressed.
Call to Press Afghan Taliban on Terror Commitments
Earlier at the forum, the prime minister said Pakistan supported peaceful settlement of disputes worldwide, citing Islamabad’s backing of the Gaza Peace Plan and its approval by the UN Security Council. As a newly elected non-permanent member of the UNSC, he said Pakistan would continue advocating for global peace and security.
Warning of the resurgence of terrorism from across the border, he urged the world to “press the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its international obligations and rein in terrorist groups operating from its territory.”
He expressed gratitude to Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran for their “sincere efforts” toward achieving a permanent Gaza ceasefire, which he described as “still very fragile.”
Support for Palestinians and Kashmiris Reiterated
Reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing positions, the prime minister said Islamabad would continue supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, as well as the “brave and resilient” people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said lasting peace was inseparable from sustainable development and highlighted Pakistan’s progress in financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, and green initiatives. However, he noted that climate disasters, economic inequities, and technological divides were major challenges for developing nations.
Calling for a new global mindset, he urged world leaders to move away from zero-sum approaches and “invest in connectivity— not just for goods, but for people, ideas, and shared prosperity.”
