AiBotIslamabad (AP) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated the country’s long-standing bond of friendship with Türkiye, praising the nation for its unwavering support during Pakistan’s times of need.
Speaking at a high-level conference in Islamabad on the occasion of Türkiye’s Independence Day, the Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude towards the people of Türkiye for their kindness and generosity towards Pakistan throughout its history. He noted that the spirit of solidarity exhibited by the Turkish nation had been reciprocated with remarkable generosity, reflecting the strong bonds of friendship between both nations.
Whenever Pakistan faced adversity — whether during the wars with India, the devastating 2005 earthquake that ravaged northern Pakistan, or the catastrophic floods that affected millions in 2010 – the people of Türkiye stood firmly by the country, the Prime Minister said in his remarks.
“We have a long history of friendship and cooperation that has been forged in the fire of adversity,” Sharif said. “Türkiye has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times, and Pakistan too, in its humble ways, has extended its support to Türkiye during challenging moments.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks reflected the close ties between the two nations, which are rooted in the legacy of their shared history as the heart of the old Ottoman and Mughal Empires. Over the years, both nations have shown remarkable solidarity with each other, whether it was during Pakistan’s independence struggle against British colonial rule or during Türkiye’s modern-day struggles for economic and social development.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, saying that the bond of friendship between the two nations was “unbreakable” and that both countries stood together through thick and thin.
The visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan in 2016 had further strengthened the bilateral ties, and Pakistan has been a strong supporter of Türkiye’s efforts to combat terrorism and regional instability.
The Pakistan-Türkiye relationship, the Prime Minister said, was an example of how nations can come together in the face of adversity and stand by each other, no matter what challenges they may face.