Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, where both leaders committed to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, defence, and security.
The two leaders discussed regional and global issues, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities in the region. The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming 7th session of the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), which will be hosted in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his appreciation for Türkiye’s unwavering support for the people of Indian-administered Kashmir. President Erdoğan commended Shehbaz’s economic reforms and efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s economy, and extended birthday wishes to the prime minister, who recently celebrated his 73rd birthday.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised President Erdoğan’s impactful speech at the UN General Assembly, where Erdoğan condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and criticized Western nations for their support of Israel. Erdoğan called for an “alliance of humanity” to end the violence in Gaza, asserting that the values of the United Nations and the West are being undermined by the conflict.
Sharif reaffirmed the strong ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, confirming that President Erdoğan is expected to visit Pakistan soon. The prime minister also provided an update on Pakistan’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that it is in its final stages of approval. He acknowledged the vital support from China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in securing the deal, and expressed gratitude for the progress made in addressing Pakistan’s economic challenges.
