Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and regional stability during a phone call on Thursday, according to statements released by both governments.
The conversation, initiated by Prime Minister Sharif, centered on the recently announced temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan during Eidul Fitr. Sharif acknowledged Türkiye’s “constructive role in promoting peace efforts” between the two nations, particularly in facilitating the temporary truce, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office stated.
President Erdogan and Prime Minister Sharif as well exchanged Eid greetings, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic solutions to regional challenges. The Turkish President’s office confirmed the call, noting that bilateral ties and global issues were also addressed.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of recent missile attacks targeting Türkiye, expressing solidarity with the Turkish people. “The entire Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with their Turkish brothers and sisters in these challenging times,” Sharif reportedly said, according to the Pakistani statement.
The call took place a day after Pakistan announced a “temporary pause” in its Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban, a decision made at the request of several Islamic countries, including Türkiye. This pause is intended to coincide with the Eidul Fitr holiday.
Both leaders urged the international community to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional tensions, with Sharif reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to supporting de-escalation efforts in the Middle East. The two leaders also discussed broader regional stability, without specifying particular areas of concern beyond Afghanistan and the Middle East.
The exchange follows President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan in February 2025 and Prime Minister Sharif’s visits to Türkiye in April and May 2025, indicating a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. No further meetings or discussions have been publicly scheduled at this time.
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