Ankara (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday landed in Ankara for a two-day visit on the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with both sides looking to strengthen bilateral relations.
Pakistan and Türkiye enjoy strong bilateral relations based on shared history, religion and culture, with close collaboration in defense, trade, and diplomacy.
Both countries mutually back each other on issues like Kashmir and Cyprus, strengthening their strategic ties.
In a post on X today, the Prime Minister said that he had “just landed in Ankara” and was looking forward to meeting Turkish president Erdogan.
”Pakistan and Türkiye share a unique and historic bond, deeply etched in the hearts of our people,” PM Shehbaz said.
“United by trust and shared values, we carry a common vision for peace, progress, and prosperity — a partnership that has stood the test of time and continues to grow stronger with each passing day,” he added.
During his trip, the he will hold extensive talks with the Turkish leadership on bilateral ties while discussing recent developments in the region and beyond.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi also accompanied him.
Read More: Pakistan, Turkey to Enhance Cooperation in Multiple Areas
Pakistan and Türkiye have also institutionalized leadership-level mechanism in the form of High High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council for collaboration and coordination on different issues of shared interest.
The 7th session of HLSCC was organized in Islamabad on February 12 and 13 this year, co-chaired by President Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Read More: Turkey-Pakistan Foreign Ministers extend bilateral ties
Both counties had agreed to expand the scope of their goods trade deal, marking a major step towards achieving a $5 billion bilateral trade target, and laid the groundwork for Turkish companies to develop a special economic zone in Pakistan during the session.
Established in 2009, HLSCC is the highest decision-making forum between the two nations, guiding bilateral ties through joint standing committees spanning trade, investment, defense, energy, agriculture, health and education.
The upcoming meeting represents a continuation of this robust cooperation and highlights the mutual commitment to further elevate the multifaceted ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Earlier in February, President Asif Ali Zardari also met his Turkish counterpart, Erdogan, before the latter travelled to Pakistan later in the month.
The meeting took place during a brief stopover at Istanbul airport, while the president was en route to Portugal, where both nations agreed to enhance counter-terror cooperation in a separate meeting in Islamabad.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
