Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif attends Türkiye's Islamabad reception as guest of honor

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for an economic partnership matching the political and strategic ties between the two countries at a reception marking the 103rd anniversary of the Republic.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended as guest of honor a reception hosted by Türkiye's Embassy in Islamabad to mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with federal ministers and lawmakers, also attended the reception.

In his speech, Sharif congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government and the Turkish people. He said that under Erdoğan's leadership, Türkiye had become an economic powerhouse, a leader in defense technologies and one of the world's most generous donors of humanitarian aid.

Prime Minister Sharif and guests at the Republic Day reception in Islamabad

Sharif recalls the two nations' solidarity in difficult times

Recalling the Khilafat Movement, Sharif said that Muslims of the subcontinent stood by Türkiye during the War of Independence even while they were under British rule, and that this goodwill was repaid during Pakistan's difficult days. He cited Türkiye's swift response to the 2005 earthquake and President Erdoğan's visit to the flood-hit region in 2010.

Sharif also recalled Emine Erdoğan's donation of her necklace for flood victims and said that the hospital, school and model villages built by Türkiye in Muzaffargarh continued to serve the public. He also stressed that Türkiye stood by Pakistan during the "Marka-e-Hak" process against India last year.

Sharif calls the Mecca Agreement a turning point

Calling the Mecca Agreement signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia on August 7, 2026, an important turning point that strengthened joint deterrence and their commitment to regional peace, Sharif recalled that he had announced the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Special Economic Zone in Karachi at the Pakistan-Türkiye Business Conference in Istanbul in July and invited Turkish investors to Pakistan.

Ambassador Neziroğlu: We are not just friends, but brothers

Welcoming the guests, Türkiye's Ambassador to Islamabad Dr. İrfan Neziroğlu said that the Republic, founded in 1923 under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, had inspired many peoples, including Muslims in South Asia. Neziroğlu said, "When Pakistan suffers, Türkiye feels that pain too. When Türkiye faces difficulty, Pakistan stands by us. Türkiye and Pakistan are not just friends, but two nations that are brothers through history, united by faith and bound by shared sacrifices."

Neziroğlu described the Mecca Defense Agreement and the "Badr" memorandum of understanding as the latest milestones in bilateral relations. A cake was also cut at the reception to mark the anniversary of the Republic.

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif attends Türkiye's Islamabad reception as guest of honor