PM Shehbaz Sharif Meets President Erdoğan in Istanbul, Vows to Strengthen Pakistan-Türkiye Strategic Partnership

ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul on July 6, 2026, reaffirming the ironclad fraternal bonds and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye. The leaders pledged to elevate bilateral trade to $5 billion and expand cooperation across key sectors, including defence, energy, connectivity, and technology.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the meeting as a "great pleasure and honour," calling President Erdoğan his "very dear brother." The two leaders held comprehensive discussions covering the full spectrum of the Pakistan-Türkiye Strategic Partnership, with particular focus on trade, investment, defence cooperation, energy, connectivity, technology, regional peace, and people-to-people exchanges.

A Shared Vision for Regional Peace

The leaders reaffirmed their shared belief that dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and preserving international peace and security. This principle has been a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and aligns with Ankara's vision for stability in the region.

Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Erdoğan for his warm hospitality and the two leaders agreed to fully leverage the immense potential of their partnership to achieve the mutually agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade. Both sides committed to taking the enduring bonds of brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye to even greater heights.

Pakistan-Türkiye Business Conference

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sharif attended the Pakistan-Türkiye Business Conference, where he met distinguished representatives of Türkiye's vibrant business community. The Prime Minister noted that their optimism, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit reinforced his conviction that the economic partnership between the two countries is entering a new and exciting chapter under President Erdoğan's visionary leadership.

The meeting reflects the deep-rooted ties between Islamabad and Ankara, which have expanded significantly in recent years across defence production, trade, and diplomatic coordination. Both nations have consistently supported each other on regional and international issues, including Kashmir and Cyprus.