IRIA News

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit on May 19, 2024, following an invitation from his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional and international developments, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The two sides agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, defense, and security domains, according to the Pakistan Foreign Office statement.

During the visit, the Turkish diplomat held separate meetings with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar as well as the Pakistani prime minister and military chief. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated a firm commitment to expand cooperation between the two countries, in all areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, technology, and defense.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held delegation-level talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan today in Islamabad. The two leaders reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and… pic.twitter.com/QPs1uoVh52

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 20, 2024

Pakistani and Turkish diplomats exchange views on Gaza

During their bilateral meeting, Fidan and Dar engaged in detailed discussions about the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The talks focused on potential joint actions to address the conflict and the need for a united and decisive stance from the Muslim world, the ministry said.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, stated that Pakistan and Turkey share a united stance on Gaza and oppose Islamophobia at international forums. “Israel crossed all red lines on humanity’s conscience and international laws,” Fidan said at the presser.

Condemning the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza, which has killed over 35,000 people, mainly women and children, since last October, Dar called on the international community to push for an “immediate” cease-fire and ensure urgent relief supplies to the besieged enclave.

Turkish FM Fidan after talks with Pakistani FM Dar in Islamabad:

– We both agree that immediate ceasefire must be declared in Gaza & aid must be allowed in
– Two-state solution for Palestine is the only way to establish peace
– Türkiye & Pakistan have common stances on crimes… pic.twitter.com/h71Fs31iwS

— TRT World (@trtworld) May 20, 2024

Both Ankara and Islamabad have been strong advocates for the Palestinian cause and vocal critics of Israel since the onset of its war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women, and children, in retaliation for Hamas’ cross-border attack on Israel on October 7. It has accused Israel of committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza and has condemned its Western allies for being “complicit” in these actions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describes Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union, as freedom fighters. He has repeatedly called on Muslim nations and the international community to take urgent action to stop Israel and hold it accountable.

‘Two countries one nation’

Dar also hailed bilateral ties between Ankara and Islamabad and said that Pakistan and Turkey are collaborating in various fields including the economy, trade, and defense, to increase their bilateral trade volume. He noted the enduring cultural, religious, and diplomatic ties between the two nations stating that “Turkey and Pakistan are two countries but one nation.”

Turkey and Pakistan have maintained close relations based on friendship and brotherhood since Pakistan’s independence in 1947. The relations between the two countries have been institutionalized with the establishment of the High-Level Cooperation Council in 2009, which was later upgraded to the level of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). This institutional framework has enabled close cooperation between the two nations in various areas, including military and defense industry partnerships.

Pakistan and Turkiye agree to reach $5 billion trade target

Ankara and Islamabad agreed to work together to achieve the ambitious target of $5 billion in annual bilateral trade. The current trade volume stands at approximately $1 billion.

During their meetings, Fidan and Dar discussed the challenges faced by Turkish businesses operating in Pakistan.

While in Islamabad, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior government officials. Fidan also met Yousuf Raza Gilani, the chairman of Pakistan’s Senate, and interacted with businesspeople and institutional representatives at his country’s embassy in Islamabad.

Hakan Fidan also met Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir in Islamabad. “Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the deep-rooted relations between the two countries, founded on a historic, cultural, and religious bonds,” according to the military’s media affairs wing ISPR.