ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday “for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff which resulted in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial meeting with Turkiye President Erdogan in Istanbul , which reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic and brotherly ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial meeting with Turkiye President Erdogan in Ankara, which reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic and brotherly ties between the two countries.
The prime minister, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent developments in South Asia. He praised Turkiye’s principled stance and the outpouring of goodwill from the Turkish people, calling it a source of great strength and comfort for Pakistan.
The prime minister also highlighted the courage, commitment and spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the armed forces of Pakistan and the patriotic resolve of the Pakistani people, which played a pivotal role in the overwhelming success of Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in defence of the homeland.
Stressing the importance of enhancing economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the potential for joint ventures and increased bilateral investment. He identified key sectors such as renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and opportunity.
The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership to new heights. They also assessed progress on the implementation of decisions made during the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), held in Islamabad on February 13, 2025.
In addition to bilateral matters, the leaders discussed key regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Both leaders expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to deepen multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye. The two sides pledged to continue working closely to promote regional peace, sustainable development and the shared prosperity of their nations.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr. Yusuf Junaid, were also part of the Pakistani delegation.
President Erdogan also hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Meanwhile, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has reaffirmed that the Pakistani nation and its armed forces have always stood united and will continue to do so in the future.
Addressing students from various universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military spokesperson highlighted the national unity displayed in the face of recent tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack. “They [India] thought we wouldn’t respond,” he said. “But all of you, and the entire nation, stood behind Pakistan. By the grace of Allah, an iron wall of unity was erected.”
He said India’s plans and strategies, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were decisively countered by Pakistan. Recalling the retaliatory measures, he revealed that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had ordered a robust response targeting 26 Indian sites.
He disclosed that the Indian brigade headquarters responsible for shelling AJK’s Muzaffarabad—causing the martyrdom of a 7-year-old child, Irtaza—was destroyed by Pakistani forces. He said that Indian airbases used in the attacks were also struck and rendered inoperative.
Emphasizing Pakistan’s restraint, the ISPR DG said the Pakistan Army upheld international norms throughout the conflict. “Did your army target any civilian infrastructure or population? No,” he told the students. “We are peace-loving and prefer peace as our first choice—but if India repeats this stupidity, the response will be even fiercer.”
On regional terrorism, he said India was the chief sponsor behind much of the unrest. He said those attacking mosques and killing innocents have no link to Islam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s traditions or Pashtun culture. “These terrorists are agents of India,” he asserted.
Referring to militant Khargi Noorwali, Lt Gen Chaudhry criticized his justification for seeking help from non-believers, specifically India. “In Islam, truth and falsehood cannot coexist,” he said. “You seek help from a country where the dignity of Kashmiri women is trampled.”
Touching upon Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, he reiterated that Afghanistan is a brotherly Islamic country but stressed that the problem lies with certain elements. “These are people who take Indian money and act against Pakistan,” he said, urging Afghans not to shelter terrorists on their soil.