ASHGABAT, Friday, December 12, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Türkiye across a wide range of sectors, including politics, energy, economy, defence, and investment.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the International Forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust, held in Ashgabat. He welcomed the frequent high-level engagements between the leadership of the two countries over the past year, describing them as a reflection of the enduring strength of bilateral relations.

Both leaders underscored the historic and deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, founded on shared values, mutual trust, and a common vision for peace and prosperity.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the convening of the 16th session of the Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), noting that it would help ensure effective implementation of decisions taken during the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) meeting.

Highlighting energy, petroleum, and minerals as priority sectors, the prime minister welcomed growing Turkish interest and investment in these areas. He emphasized the importance of timely implementation of recently signed memoranda of understanding and agreements, and conveyed Pakistan’s interest in benefiting from Turkish expertise, particularly in the privatization of electricity distribution companies. It was agreed that ministerial-level exchanges would take place in the near future to advance cooperation.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of regional connectivity, citing the revival of the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul rail corridor as a key initiative to enhance trade and people-to-people links.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended President Erdoğan’s leadership and Türkiye’s principled stance in support of peace efforts in Gaza. He also expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban authorities, while underscoring that lasting peace would require full consideration of Pakistan’s security concerns.

President Erdoğan thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his views and kind remarks, and reiterated Türkiye’s desire to work closely with Pakistan to further deepen bilateral relations and advance shared strategic objectives.