ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye have reiterated their resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as well as the threat of extremism.
In a joint communique issued at the end of a two-day visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan on Thursday, both countries agreed to support the relevant initiatives in the fight against terrorism at regional and international platforms.
They condemned all incidents of terrorist attacks in both countries and expressed solidarity with their people.
The two countries voiced deep concern at the rising tide of Islamophobia and condemned the terrorist and racist attacks against Muslims across the globe.
The joint communique acknowledged the time-tested and exemplary brotherhood and mutual support of the peoples and governments of the two countries in challenging times.
It said Pakistan and Turkiye are desirous of giving further impetus to the existing bilateral cooperation in all spheres including, defence, trade, investment, banking, finance, education, health, energy, culture, tourism, transport and communication, agriculture, water, science, and technology.
Regional and international issues
The two sides underscored the need for the resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “In this regard, Pakistan expresses its deep appreciation for Turkiye’s principled stance on the issue,” said the joint communique
It added the two countries reiterated full and resolute support for the efforts towards the just, lasting, and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue. “Pakistan reaffirms its support to the Turkish Cypriots and to Turkiye in this regard,” the document said.
According to the joint communique, both countries reaffirmed their support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and for the advancement of international efforts aimed at building a more sustainable future for the Afghan people through continued, coordinated, and coherent engagement with the interim Afghan authorities including on countering terrorism.
“In this regard, they underlined the importance of inclusive governance, and respect for fundamental rights, particularly of girls and women in Afghanistan,” it noted.
The two sides emphasised that the United Nations Security Council needs to be made more representative, democratic, transparent, and accountable through a comprehensive United Nations Security Council reform process, based on the widest possible consensus.
“The two sides expressed their grave concern at the unprecedented loss of lives and property as well as displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as a result of indiscriminate use of force by Israel. Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire,” the joint communique said.
The two countries expressed hope that the truce would lead to a permanent and durable ceasefire. “They underscored that any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land as well as to continue illegal settlements constitute a blatant violation of the international law,” said the document.
The two countries also stressed the importance of working for global disarmament and non-proliferation objectives, safeguarding and strengthening international as well as regional security and promoting strategic stability, including in each other’s respective regions.
Fight against terrorism
The joint communique added that both countries will continue to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, including through intelligence sharing, exchange of best practices and experiences in the areas of law enforcement, legislation, capacity building and strengthening of the respective regimes.
“Both sides underscored that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilisation,” it said.
Islamophobia
The document added the two countries expressed their determination to continue working closely to combat Islamophobia, hate speech, efforts to link terrorism with Islam, and other manifestations of intolerance towards Muslims, including stereotyping of Muslims.
“Joint initiatives will be taken to counter stereotyping and defamation of Islam and Muslims, including incitement to acts of violence, xenophobia, and related intolerance and discrimination against Islam, its religious symbols, and venerated personalities, by means of print, audio-visual & electronic media, the Internet, as well as entertainment media such as movies, videos and digital games,” it noted.
Irregular migration
The two countries agreed to work closely to address irregular migration and enhance cooperation to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
“Turkiye acknowledges and notes with appreciation the measures being taken by Pakistan towards implementation of the Agreement on the Readmission of Persons Residing without Authorization as well as facilitation with regard to the provision of documents of irregular migrants exiting from Turkiye,” it said.
Security and defence
Both sides agreed to further expand cooperation in the defence and security spheres, including by prioritising sourcing of their defence purchases from each other to the extent possible, and promoting possibilities for joint research and development as well as joint ventures, in accordance with their national laws and regulations and their relevant international commitments and obligations.
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witness exchange of MoUs and Agreements signed between
Turkiye and Pakistan with regard to cooperation in different fields on 13 February 2025.
Energy
The two countries vowed to explore cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, especially the Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, services, renewables, energy efficiency, and conservation.
“Enhance cooperation on exchanging views, experiences, and expertise in technology and technical matters in the energy field,” the joint communique added.
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witness exchange of MoUs and Agreements signed between
Turkiye and Pakistan with regard to cooperation in different fields on 13 February 2025.
Trade and Investment
According to the joint communique, both sides agreed to review the existing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and agreed to increase the level of economic engagement to mobilize the vast untapped potential in this regard.
“Continue and accelerate the work of the Joint Task Force to promote industrial partnerships for collaboration and to enhance bilateral trade and market access, focusing on priority sectors for both economies toward achieving the USD 5 billion trade volume target,” it added.
