Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Turkey supported each other on all crucial issues, including those pertaining to Kashmir and Northern Cyprus.
The premier made these comments to Turkish state media organization Anadolu Agency before leaving for Turkey on an official three-day visit to Turkey.
PM left for Turkey today and during his trip, he will be meeting the business and trader community there. PM will also issue a commemorative plaque with the Turkish President to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Turkey.
Ahead of the premier’s visit, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto has already reached Ankara on Monday and was welcomed by Governor of Ankara Vasif Sahin.
While speaking to Anadolu Agency, PM Shehbaz said that historical relations between the two countries were grounded firmly in many commonalities between the nations. Both the countries had the same issues to deal with, he said, while thanking the leadership of Turkey for supporting the Kashmir cause.
He also said that people’s connections were flourishing every day but now Pakistan was more focused on increasing its economic ties.
PM Shehbaz said that during his visit he would meet the business community of Turkey and would convey to them the opportunities both countries can have in different sectors.
While speaking on the issue of trade with India, he said that the government was aware of the economic dividends that could be reaped from trade with India.
However, the prime minister added, considering the brutalities against the Kashmiris, attempts to change the demography of the occupied territory, and denial of rights, it was hard to imagine that progress could be made on trade.
