Turkish FM Hakan Fidan Visits Pakistan for High-Level Talks

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior government officials during his visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Monday. The visit underscores the enduring and close ties between the two nations.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced in an X post that Fidan’s meeting with Prime Minister Sharif focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation. The discussions took place amidst a series of high-profile engagements during Fidan’s two-day visit, which began on Sunday.

In addition to meeting Prime Minister Sharif, Fidan held talks with Yousuf Raza Gilani, the chairman of Pakistan’s Senate, the upper house of parliament. These discussions are expected to further cement the legislative collaboration between Türkiye and Pakistan.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also took the opportunity to engage with Turkish businesspeople and institutional representatives at the Turkish embassy in Islamabad, highlighting the importance of economic ties and business cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier in his visit, Fidan had an in-depth discussion with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, on various bilateral and international issues. The two ministers later addressed a joint news conference, emphasizing their commitment to mutual support and collaboration on regional and global matters.

Türkiye and Pakistan have enjoyed a deep-rooted friendship since Pakistan’s independence in 1947. This relationship was institutionalized with the establishment of the High-Level Cooperation Council in 2009, which was later upgraded to the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, this council plays a crucial role in enhancing strategic ties and fostering comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Fidan’s visit marks another milestone in the longstanding partnership, reflecting the shared values and mutual respect that have characterized Türkiye-Pakistan relations for decades.