Erdogan offers support as PM shehbaz seeks global pressure on Taliban

The president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to support the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on International Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan.

On its 30th anniversary, the peace forum, brought together global leaders to discuss conflict resolution and cooperation. 

The Turkish president, welcomed the extension of the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire and promised that Turkey is ready to contribute to maintain stability agreed by the parties to prevent new hostilities. Both leaders also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, investment and defence.

Addressing the forum earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong appeal to the international community to press the Afghan Taliban government to honour its international obligations and eliminate militant groups operating from Afghan soil, describing the current border ceasefire as “fragile”. 

Shehbaz warned that terrorism threats were arising from across the border and emphasised that lasting peace between Pakistan and afghanistan required collective global action. He thanked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey for their mediation efforts to achieve peace between the two countries.

In his speech, the prime minister also linked sustainable peace to socioeconomic development, highlighting Pakistan’s progress in financial inclusion and women’s economic participation, even as climate-induced disasters and global inequities pose challenges. 

Shehbaz also stressed on support for Middle East peace efforts, including a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza, and strengthened cooperation with Iran, focusing on trade, border security and connectivity such as the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail link. 

The forum provided a platform for PM Sharif to hold bilateral meetings with leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement on regional and global issues.