Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo, reinforcing commitments to strengthen ties on core issues and regional cooperation.
In talks with President Erdogan, both leaders reaffirmed support on issues of national interest, including Türkiye’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s endorsement of Türkiye’s position on Cyprus. They condemned Israeli actions against Palestinians, emphasising the worsening humanitarian crisis since October 2023.
“Pakistan-Türkiye brotherhood and friendship are deep-rooted in history,” Erdogan stated, lauding Pakistan’s economic recovery and humanitarian efforts for Palestine and Lebanon.
The leaders discussed enhancing bilateral trade, with a target of $5 billion, and explored cooperation in IT, agriculture, and green technology. He invited Erdogan to Islamabad to co-chair the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Iran-Pakistan Relations
In his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, PM Shehbaz Sharif focused on bolstering economic ties, operationalising border markets, and fostering energy and security cooperation.
Both leaders condemned the “genocide of Palestinians” and agreed to raise their voices against Israeli actions. PM expressed solidarity with Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, adding, “Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with our oppressed brothers and sisters.”
PM Shehbaz also congratulated Iran on its BRICS membership and sought Tehran’s support for Pakistan’s inclusion in the bloc. He extended an invitation to Pezeshkian for an official visit to Pakistan.
Both meetings underscored the importance of regional peace, economic collaboration, and solidarity on international issues.
