Pakistan and Turkiye reiterated their decision to “raise the bilateral strategic partnership to greater heights” under “a warm and most heartfelt meeting” between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday.

Shehbaz, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Key Cabinet ministers, began his two-day official visit to Turkiye, as part of his four-national regional tour, the Prime Minister’s office (Press Wing) said in a statement.

In the meeting with President Erdogan, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the government and the people of Turkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent conflict with India, the statement states.

Emphasizes the strength of the fraternal bond between the two nations, praised Shehbaz Turkiye’s principle attitude and outflow of the Turkish people’s goodwill for Pakistan. He described it as “a source of great comfort and strength” for Pakistan, the statement added.

He highlighted the courage and spirit of victims of the Pakistani armed forces and the resolute patriotism of the Pakistani people demonstrated in an unprecedented way and contributed a lot to Pakistan’s overwhelming victory in Marka-E-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the full range of bilateral connections and confirmed their principle support for each other’s core problems, including Kashmir. They promised to continue working close to regional peace and their common prosperity.

“The two leaders … repeated their decision to raise [bilateral] Strategic partnership to greater heights, “the statement states, adding that both sides” renewed commitment to further elaborate on the multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye “.

Shehbaz highlighted key sectors, including energy, information technology, defense production, infrastructure and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and potential.

The statement said that Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan also followed up with the implementation of the most important decisions that were made during the seventh session in the Strategic Cooperation Council at a high level (HLSCC) held in Islamabad on February 13, 2025.

In addition to bilateral questions, the two leaders also discussed urgent regional and international developments. They expressed deep concern about the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and unobstructed humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of Information Ataullah Tarar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Junaid was also part of the Pakistan delegation. President Erdogan also hosted the dinner of Prime Minister Shehbaz and his delegation.

“The commitment [between the leaders of the two countries] Confirmed the deeply rooted, historical and fraternal bond between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared values, mutual respect and a common vision of progress and prosperity, “the Prime Minister’s office said.