ISLAMABAD: Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Mehmet Pacaci on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here.
The Ambassador congratulated the prime minister on his re-election and conveyed best wishes from the leadership of Turkiye and emphasized the importance of strengthening the fraternal ties between both countries.
The prime minister deeply appreciated the congratulatory telephone call and message of felicitations from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan immediately after his re-election, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister Office.
He emphasised that Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed exemplary bilateral relations that were based on shared history, religion and culture and were unshakeable.
The prime minister said both countries needed to work together to achieve the annual target of US$ 5 billion in bilateral trade. He also called upon the two sides to enhance their bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest including trade, defence, connectivity a
nd culture. In this regard, he congratulated Turkiye on the successful flight of KAAN 5th generation fighter aircraft.
On core issues, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan deeply appreciated Turkiye’s firm and consistent support for the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to Turkiye on the issue of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Reiterating his invitation to President Erdogan to visit Pakistan, he said the people of Pakistan looked forward to the visit that would also provide a useful opportunity for both sides to carry out extensive consultations during the 7th session of High Level Strategic Coordination Council (HLSCC).