ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkiye continue to strengthen, as both countries deepen cooperation in economic, defence, and strategic sectors.
Addressing a ceremony commemorating the 102nd Republic Day of Turkiye, the Prime Minister said the leadership of the two nations had held several high-level meetings in recent years, reaffirming their resolve to “share joys and sorrows together” and to advance mutual prosperity.
Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Turkish people on the historic occasion, recalling how Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk laid the foundation of modern Turkiye—a nation that today stands as a symbol of resilience, progress, and reform.
“Across Pakistan, the Turkish flag is flying high—reflecting the shared heartbeat of two brotherly nations bound by history, faith, and affection,” the Prime Minister remarked.
The event, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, cabinet members, parliamentarians, diplomats, and senior officials, marked a celebration of Pakistan–Turkiye solidarity that spans generations.
Lauding the visionary leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Shehbaz Sharif described him as “a leading light of progress and resilience—not only for Turkiye but for the entire Muslim world.”
The Prime Minister said Turkiye’s remarkable transformation under President Erdoğan’s leadership is a model of stability, development, and national pride. “Modern Turkiye,” he noted, “is a unique blend of progress and cultural heritage—an inspiration for the Muslim Ummah.”
Shehbaz Sharif traced the historical roots of Pakistan–Turkiye friendship to centuries of shared struggle and sacrifice, recalling how Muslim women in the Subcontinent sold their jewelry to support the Ottoman Empire during the Khilafat Movement.
“Our forefathers could not have imagined that one day, an independent Turkiye would stand beside us through every trial—wars, earthquakes, and floods—with unwavering love and support,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed deep gratitude to Turkiye for consistently supporting Pakistan’s stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, reaffirming Islamabad’s principled support for Turkiye’s position on Northern Cyprus.
Reflecting on recent regional tensions, Shehbaz Sharif praised the professionalism and bravery of Pakistan’s armed forces, led by Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, noting that “during times of trial, President Erdoğan stood firmly with Pakistan like a rock.”
He commended Turkiye’s humanitarian assistance following Pakistan’s 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, calling them “enduring symbols of true friendship.”
Earlier, the Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, read out a congratulatory message from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, highlighting Turkiye’s achievements and the enduring strength of its global partnerships.
The ceremony concluded with the Prime Minister cutting a commemorative cake, symbolizing the enduring brotherhood and mutual respect between the two nations.
