زاہد لائلپوری

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising stronger bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, called for an economic partnership to match the political and strategic bond between the two brotherly nations. He was speaking as chief guest at a reception held in Islamabad marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and parliamentarians attended the event. In his address, PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government and the Turkish people. He said that under Erdogan's leadership, Turkiye had become an economic powerhouse, a pioneer in defence technology and one of the world's most generous humanitarian donors. Recalling the Khilafat Movement, the prime minister said Muslims of the subcontinent, even under the British Raj, stood by that time Turkey during its war of independence. He said that generosity was returned in Pakistan's hours of need, citing Turkiye's quick response to the 2005 earthquake and President Erdogan's visit to flood-hit areas in 2010. He also recalled the gesture of Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, who donated her necklace for flood victims, and said Turkiye went on to build a hospital, a school and model villages in Muzaffargarh. The Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital and Emine Erdogan School continue to serve local people. He also appreciated that Turkiye had stood firmly by Pakistan during last year's Marka-e-Haq against India. The prime minister described the Makkah Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026 between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, as an important milestone that strengthens collective deterrence and shared commitment to regional peace and stability. He said Pakistan would continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and peaceful settlement of disputes. On the economic cooperation, he recalled announcing the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi at the Pakistan-Turkiye Business Conference in Istanbul in July. He invited Turkish investors to look at Pakistan's young population, strategic location and growing opportunities, and urged both sides to turn goodwill into joint ventures and jobs for young people. The event also featured a cake-cutting to mark the celebration. Welcoming the guests, Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu said the Turkish War of Liberation and the founding of the Republic in 1923, under Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, inspired many nations, including the Muslims of South Asia in their own struggles for independence. He noted that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal both admired the Turkish struggle. "When Pakistan hurts, Turkiye feels the pain. When Turkiye faces hardship, Pakistan stands beside us," he said. "Turkiye and Pakistan are not simply friends. We are brothers by history, united by faith, bound by shared sacrifices." He said both countries aimed to build a stronger economic partnership and deepen their strategic alliance, while setting an example of cooperation on regional and international platforms. He described the Makkah Defence Agreement and the "Badr" memorandum of understanding as the latest milestones in the relationship.