ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Türkiye’s success is Pakistan’s success, pledging to further strengthen the “unique partnership” between the two countries.
“Türkiye’s success is Pakistan’s success. Pakistan’s progress is Türkiye’s progress,” Sharif told a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul after talks at the Vahdettin Palace.
PM Sharif thanked Erdogan for his “warm welcome and gracious hospitality,” saying it was “always a pleasure to visit the magnificent city of Istanbul on the shores of the Bosphorus where history meets modernity and rich cultures of both East and West thrive side by side.”
Citing Turkish poet and thinker Yunus Emre’s verse, “A heart makes a good home for the friend,” Sharif said: “No words could better describe the relationship between our two nations.”
“Pakistan has always found a home in the hearts of the people of Türkiye just as Türkiye lives in the hearts of every Pakistani,” he said. He said the friendship between the two nations was forged through “centuries of shared history, common faith, mutual sacrifice and an enduring sense of brotherhood.”
Sharif recalled that Türkiye has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times, including wars, earthquakes and floods, and pointed to Erdogan’s visit to flood-hit areas of Pakistan in 2010 as well as first lady Emine Erdogan’s support for flood victims.
“This is why we proudly say Pakistan and Türkiye are two hearts of one soul,” he said.
Sharif said he and Erdogan held “very comprehensive and productive discussions,” expressing satisfaction over growing momentum in trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
He said the two leaders reviewed concrete steps to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation, adding that the goodwill between the countries offered “a unique and ideal opportunity” to achieve their mutually agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade. Sharif said Pakistan would continue to stand firmly with Türkiye on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He also expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for Türkiye’s “principled and unwavering support” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and “their legitimate right to self-determination.”
Sharif said he and Erdogan reaffirmed their shared belief that “dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect remain the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and preserving international peace and security.”
He thanked Türkiye for its “strong and steadfast support” for Pakistan’s peace efforts in the region, saying they culminated in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum.
“The decisions we have taken today will not remain words on paper,” Sharif said. “They will translate into greater trade, stronger investment, deeper strategic cooperation and, above all, a better future for our peoples.”
He said he assured Erdogan of Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment” to further strengthen the partnership. Quoting Rumi, Sharif said: “The lamps are different, but the light is the same,” adding that the people of Pakistan and Türkiye are guided by “the light of faith, compassion, mutual respect and an unbreakable brotherhood.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen its time-tested strategic partnership with Türkiye.
He was addressing a joint press stakeout with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul today.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan and Türkiye share an extraordinary bond founded on centuries of common history, shared faith, mutual sacrifice and an enduring sense of brotherhood.
Shehbaz Sharif said Türkiye has always stood by Pakistan during difficult times, including wars, earthquakes, and devastating floods.
The prime minister praised President Erdogan’s visionary leadership, saying Türkiye has achieved remarkable economic, technological, and strategic progress under his stewardship.
Referring to bilateral cooperation, Shehbaz Sharif said both sides held comprehensive and productive discussions on trade, investment, and industrial collaboration, reaffirming their commitment to achieving the bilateral trade target of five billion dollars.
Highlighting regional peace efforts, Shehbaz Sharif said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding reflects the shared belief that dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Prime Minister also expressed Pakistan’s support for Türkiye on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and thanked Ankara for its consistent support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their right to self-determination.
In his remarks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan for their valuable efforts in achieving the outcome of the mediation process.
He welcomed the peace achieved through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, saying the entire world breathed a sigh of relief following the agreement.
The Turkish President also expressed concern over attempts to undermine the agreement and strongly condemned Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza. He said Türkiye remains committed to establishing an environment where all people in the region can live in peace and security, adding that lasting solutions can only be achieved through the sincere participation and contributions of regional countries.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye and Pakistan will continue working together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Talking about economic initiatives, the Turkish President said work is continuing on establishing a Special Economic Zone in Karachi for Turkish investors, while negotiations are also underway to expand bilateral trade. He said Türkiye encourages greater investment in Pakistan and described defence cooperation as one of the key pillars of bilateral economic relations.
He said both countries are also committed to expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technology.
Five billion dollars bilateral trade target
PM Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with other ministers and senior officials from both sides.
During their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders expressed their shared resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye, with special emphasis on trade and investment, energy cooperation, offshore and onshore petroleum exploration, mines and minerals, and information technology. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdogan also reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the mutually agreed target of 5 billion dollars in bilateral trade.
The two leaders also exchanged views on important regional and global developments.
President Erdogan appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States that resulted in the signing of the historic Islamabad MoU. PM Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Turkish President for his strong support for Pakistan’s peace efforts.
The two leaders appreciated the close diplomatic coordination between the two countries during the peace process and underscored the importance of sustained efforts to ensure durable and lasting peace in the region. They also reaffirmed Pakistan and Türkiye’s steadfast support for each other’s core issues.
The Prime Minister also extended a warm and cordial invitation to President Erdogan to undertake a visit to Pakistan.
Pak-Turkiye ties in digital, technology sectors
PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the importance of deepening Pakistan-Türkiye cooperation in the digital and technology sectors. He expressed these views while talking to the Chief Executive Officer of Turkcell, Ali Taha Koç, who called on him in Istanbul.
The Prime Minister shared the government’s vision of establishing a Pakistan-Türkiye Digital Corridor to strengthen regional digital connectivity, facilitate secure cross-border data flows, and advance the integration of digital infrastructure.
Highlighting Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Prime Minister invited Turkcell to explore long-term collaboration with Pakistani institutions in areas including 5G deployment, network optimization, spectrum management, digital infrastructure and technology transfer.
Shehbaz Sharif also encouraged the company to consider partnerships in the local manufacturing of telecommunications equipment, software development, digital skills development and capacity building. He said such cooperation would strengthen Pakistan’s technology ecosystem while generating opportunities for innovation, employment and sustainable growth.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly business environment, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council to facilitate strategic investments in high-value sectors, particularly information and communication technologies. Ali Taha Koç appreciated Pakistan’s forward-looking digital transformation agenda and expressed Turkcell’s keen interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration in telecommunications, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with the relevant Pakistani stakeholders to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to the shared economic and technological aspirations of Pakistan and Türkiye.
