Islamabad: Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu of Turkiye met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday at the Prime Minister House to discuss the ongoing regional tensions and the strengthening of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif extended his greetings to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, recalling their recent discussions in Ankara aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for President Erdogan’s support for Pakistan amid the current South Asian situation.

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the enduring and robust relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, emphasizing Turkiye’s support as a reflection of their historic ties. He addressed the recent provocations by India following the Pahalgam incident, underscoring Pakistan’s responsible response.

Reiterating Pakistan’s stance against terrorism, Sharif detailed the sacrifices made by the country, citing significant casualties and economic impacts from its counter-terrorism efforts. He criticized India’s actions as a diversion from these efforts, noting the lack of evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and Pakistan’s offer for an international investigation.

Ambassador Neziroglu expressed Turkiye’s appreciation for Pakistan’s position and called for restraint and dialogue to de-escalate the crisis, reinforcing the need for peace and security in South Asia.