Two Souls, One Heart’: PM Shehbaz Hails Historic Pakistan-Türkiye-Brotherhood at Turkiye’s-Republic-Day
Shehbaz Sharif invites Turkish investors to explore Pakistan’s economic opportunities, reaffirming commitment to stronger bilateral trade.
Islamabad – 30 October 2026 (Adnan Hameed) : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday described Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Türkiye as an economic powerhouse and thanked Ankara for its support during conflicts and natural disasters.
The fraternal bond between Pakistan and Türkiye runs deeper than Pakistan’s own birth,” Sharif said at a ceremony marking Türkiye’s 103rd Republic Day at the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad.
He also described the relationship as “two souls, one heart” and expressed hope for stronger ties between the two countries.
Sharif congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people, highlighting the countries’ shared history and cooperation in defense, trade, investment and humanitarian assistance.
Noting Türkiye’s support following Pakistan’s 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, Sharif also praised Ankara’s backing during the May 2025 conflict with India.
“Last year, during Mark-e-Haq, when Pakistan faced flagrant aggression from India and our sovereignty was put to a grave test, Türkiye stood firmly by our side with unwavering commitment and dedication,” he said.
Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq is Pakistan’s official day of remembrance for the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
Sharif highlighted the Mecca Agreement, signed on Aug. 7, 2026, by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, saying it strengthened trilateral cooperation.
“It strengthens our collective deterrence and reinforces our shared commitment to regional peace and stability,” he said, reaffirming support for diplomacy, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
He also urged Turkish businesses to invest in Pakistan, citing its young population and economic opportunities, and referred to the planned President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi, announced at a business conference in Istanbul in July.
Shehbaz also underlined that Pakistan and Turkiye maintained cooperation in economic, trade, educational, cultural and defence sectors, further adding that Turkiye was playing a leading role in various fields, including defence technologies.
The ceremony at the Turkish embassy was attended by Turkish ambassador Irfan Neziroglu, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Governor KPK Faisal Kareen Kundi, Minister Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Federal Minister for Food and Security Rana Tanveer, Minister Talal Chaudhary, Senators and Parliamentarians, other Pakistani and Turkish officials.
Welcoming the guests, Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu paid tribute to republic founder Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, noting that his legacy inspired founding figures like Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Neziroglu said the two countries were committed to expanding strategic cooperation and turning their longstanding ties into stronger economic partnerships.
Pakistan and Turkey have cultivated close relations over decades, with both countries regularly expressing support for one another on regional and international issues.
Turkey, which celebrates Republic Day on October 29, marks the proclamation of the republic in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the country’s founding president.
