ISTANBUL, Saturday, June 21, 2025 (WNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on Saturday met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul, reaffirming the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Türkiye and jointly calling for urgent international action to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza.

The high-level meeting took place on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), and was also attended by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir. During the meeting, Senator Dar conveyed warm greetings and well wishes from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President Erdoğan, emphasizing the strategic importance Pakistan places on its relationship with Türkiye.

Both leaders expressed their firm resolve to further deepen and diversify the longstanding and brotherly cooperation between the two nations across all sectors, including political, economic, defence, and cultural domains.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on regional developments, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The leaders strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military actions, describing them as blatant violations of international law and human rights. They called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, urging the international community to act swiftly to stop the bloodshed and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Pakistan and Türkiye also reiterated their firm support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its right to self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter. They agreed to continue joint diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating regional tensions and promoting peace and stability in the broader Middle East.

The Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated President Erdoğan on being conferred the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) Grand Youth Award. The award, presented during a ceremony held in Istanbul on Friday, recognized Erdoğan’s exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to youth empowerment across the Islamic world.

Speaking at the ICYF event, which he attended upon the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Senator Dar conveyed heartfelt felicitations on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan. He praised President Erdoğan’s dedication to advancing the role of youth in nation-building and regional cooperation, commending the success of the OIC CFM session held under Türkiye’s leadership.

The visit and engagements marked a significant reaffirmation of Pakistan-Türkiye solidarity on major regional issues, while further strengthening bilateral ties at a time of shared geopolitical challenges and growing calls for Muslim unity on global platforms.