Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif served as the chief guest at a reception on 29 October to observe the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye's founding.
During the ceremony, Sharif offered congratulations to the Turkish people, the government of Turkiye, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Prime Minister described Turkiye as a global economic powerhouse, a leader in defence technology, and a prominent humanitarian donor. He noted that Muslims in the subcontinent supported Turkey during its war of independence, even while under British Raj rule.
Sharif highlighted Turkiye's rapid response to the 2005 earthquake and President Erdogan's 2010 visit to flood-hit areas. He recalled how Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan donated her necklace to flood victims and how Turkiye built a school, a hospital, and model villages in Muzaffargarh. The Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital and Emine Erdogan School continue to serve the local population today.
Sharif stated that Turkiye stood firmly by Pakistan during last year's Marka-e-Haq against India. He mentioned the Makkah Agreement signed on 7 August 2026 between Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan will continue to champion diplomacy, international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Prime Minister said.
In July, Sharif announced the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi during a business conference in Istanbul. He invited Turkish investors to explore Pakistan's growing opportunities, strategic location, and young population. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with federal ministers and parliamentarians, also attended the event.
Neziroglu said the Turkish War of Liberation and the 1923 founding of the Republic under Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk inspired South Asian Muslims in their own independence struggles. He noted that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal both admired the Turkish struggle.
"Turkiye and Pakistan are not simply friends. We are brothers by history, united by faith, bound by shared sacrifices," Neziroglu said.
"When Pakistan hurts, Turkiye feels the pain. When Turkiye faces hardship, Pakistan stands beside us," the ambassador added.
Neziroglu described the Makkah Defence Agreement and the "Badr" memorandum of understanding as the latest milestones in the relationship. Both countries aim to deepen their strategic alliance and build a stronger economic partnership to set an example of cooperation internationally.
