Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Turkiye would continue promoting dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes while strengthening their defence cooperation.
Addressing a ceremony marking Turkiye’s 103rd Republic Day in Islamabad on Thursday, the prime minister described the Makkah Defence Agreement as an important milestone in bilateral cooperation.
He said the agreement, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia on August 7, strengthened collective deterrence and reflected a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
Shehbaz said stronger defences would be accompanied by support for international law and diplomatic solutions to disputes.
Turkiye’s support during May conflict
The prime minister thanked Turkiye for its diplomatic support during Pakistan’s four day conflict with India in May 2025, referred to by Islamabad as Marka i Haq. He said Ankara’s solidarity had provided strength and reassurance to Pakistan’s people and would be remembered.
Shehbaz described Pakistan Turkiye relations as a strategic partnership encompassing political dialogue, defence, trade, culture and public exchanges.
Call for investment
The prime minister said economic cooperation needed to match the strength of the countries’ political and strategic relations. He recalled announcing the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Karachi during a Pakistan Turkiye business conference in Istanbul in July.
Inviting Turkish businesses to explore opportunities in Pakistan, he highlighted the country’s young population and geographical location. He called for joint ventures that would generate employment and shared prosperity.
Historical and humanitarian ties
Shehbaz traced the relationship to the Khilafat Movement after the First World War, recalling donations of money and jewellery from the subcontinent in support of the Turkish people.
He also acknowledged Turkish assistance after Pakistan’s 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, including a hospital, school and housing projects in Muzaffargarh.
The prime minister recalled Pakistan’s support for Turkiye following the devastating February 2023 earthquake. His remarks followed a quadrilateral meeting involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier in the week.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Turkiye also signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime. The countries agreed to establish a joint working group between their interior ministries.
Turkiye marked its 103rd Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) on October 29, 2026, celebrating the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923.
