Turkey, Pakistan pledge to strengthen trade, defense cooperation

In phone calls, Prime Minister Shehbaz exchanges Eid greetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The leaders unanimously urge the international community to redouble efforts to achieve a peaceful ceasefire in Gaza. Discuss the upcoming SCO summit in Astana. Pakistan and Tajikistan are keen to strengthen their ties through trade, energy and connectivity.

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – Amid celebratory messages to a number of leaders of Muslim states on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, including Turkey, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed on Sunday their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two. countries in various areas, including trade, investment, defense and tourism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also held telephone talks with world Muslim leaders including President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and exchanged greetings for the 'Eid.

During their conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrated the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Turkey, rooted in common values, history and cultural affinities. The two leaders had a warm and cordial telephonic conversation, exchanging greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Eid ul Azha, the media wing of the Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdogan also discussed ways to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

“They expressed deep concern over the current situation in Palestine, while urging the international community to redouble peace efforts to end the misery and suffering of innocent Palestinians. The two leaders agreed to continue working together to address common challenges and support each other in their core national interests,” the press release added.

The warm conversation between the two leaders is a testimony to the strong and enduring relations between Pakistan and Turkey, as well as their commitment to continue their close cooperation in the days to come.

To this end, the Prime Minister reiterated his cordial invitation to President Erdogan to undertake an official visit to Pakistan as soon as possible to convene the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Advisory Council (HLSCC).

Meanwhile, on account , mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen these historic ties through a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. I reiterated my cordial invitation to President Erdogan to visit Pakistan as soon as possible. Long live Pakistan-Turkish friendship and Eid Mubarak to all our Turkish brothers and sisters! » he said in the post.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a telephonic conversation with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan to exchange greetings on the occasion of Eid ul Adha.

The Prime Minister congratulated President Rahmon and the brotherly people of Tajikistan on the occasion of Eid and expressed his wishes for peace, prosperity and development for both countries.

President Rahmon reciprocated the greetings and best wishes and praised the strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan, the media wing of the Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

Both leaders also expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their common desire to strengthen ties through trade, energy and connectivity.

They also discussed the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana and reiterated their commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial regional integration and cooperation.

They exchanged views on international developments and agreed to continue working together to promote peace and stability within the Muslim world as well as the region.

The phone call testifies to the strong friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Furthermore, regarding the X account, the Prime Minister said that he had exchanged Eid greetings over the phone with Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan.

“We prayed for the unity, peace and happiness of the Muslim Ummah. “We thanked President Rahmon for his long-standing support to Pakistan and reaffirmed our shared commitment to building stronger bilateral ties and strengthening regional cooperation,” the Prime Minister added in his message.

The Prime Minister also had a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

“The two dignitaries exchanged Eid greetings and expressed best wishes to the people of both countries on this auspicious occasion. They also prayed for unity, peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah,” the media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.

During the telephone conversation, the two leaders reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, defense and energy.

They expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of relations and agreed to continue working closely to further strengthen bilateral ties to match the political goodwill that existed between the two countries.

In addition, they also discussed ways to address common challenges, including climate change.

The Prime Minister congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 in Baku later this year and thanked President Aliyev for extending a personal invitation to participate in the event.

Both leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan and Azerbaijan would continue to support each other in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, OIC and CEE.

They particularly appreciated the firm and constant support that the two countries have provided to each other on their respective fundamental issues.

Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated his warm and cordial invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan soon. President Aliyev confirmed that he will visit Pakistan soon.

On account X, the Prime Minister said that he had a warm conversation with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, to wish each other Eid ul Adha.

“We prayed that this Eid would bring joy to both our countries as well as peace and unity to the Muslim Ummah. We exchanged views on how to further strengthen our existing excellent brotherly relationships. There is enormous potential for trade, investment, energy and connectivity. I reiterated my invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan, which he very graciously agreed to do as soon as possible,” he added in X post.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a cordial telephone conversation to exchange warm greetings on the occasion of Eid ul Adha and expressed mutual respect and admiration for the Strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bahrain, built on shared values ​​and cultural affinities.

The Prime Minister acknowledged and appreciated Bahrain's support and cooperation in various fields over the years. He particularly thanked King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his respect and affection towards Pakistan, the media wing of the Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

“The two leaders reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries to further strengthen bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation and work closely to promote regional peace and security,” the press release added.

While recalling with emotion the historic visit of King Hamad to Pakistan in 2014, the Prime Minister reiterated his warm and cordial invitation to the King of Bahrain to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at the earliest.

The phone call reflects the warm and friendly relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, with a common desire to further deepen their brotherly ties.