Tianjin (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, with both leaders voicing strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The two leaders expressed grave concern over what they described as Israel’s ongoing campaign of violence against Palestinians. Erdogan warned that Israel was “expanding its genocide policy in Gaza,” stressing that Turkiye and Pakistan stood united in opposing such actions. He pledged that both countries would continue their efforts together on the global stage.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Islamabad and Ankara renewed their resolve to highlight the Palestinian cause and speak out against Israeli aggression through international forums.
The Turkish president also underscored the importance of preserving Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, warning against any moves that could destabilize the region further. Both sides agreed on the need for enhanced coordination in handling regional challenges.
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Discussions also touched on economic, energy, defense, and security cooperation. Erdogan acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent support on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and described the bilateral partnership as steadily improving.
Offering condolences to families affected by floods in Pakistan, Erdogan assured that Turkiye would continue to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the Pakistani people during testing times.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz visited the National Earthquake Simulation Centre at Tianjin University, where he praised China’s advanced disaster management technologies and highlighted their relevance for Pakistan.
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He instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to coordinate closely with Punjab’s administration in providing relief to flood-hit districts, including Narowal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, and Jhang.
Later, while meeting Pakistani students in Tianjin, the prime minister urged them to focus on their education and return to the country as “ambassadors of Pakistan” and “builders of the nation’s future.”
