Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan landed in Islamabad for a two-day visit on Thursday. He was invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Upon his arrival, Erdogan was welcomed at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi by key Pakistani officials, including Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
Notably, a 21-gun salute marked his arrival, and Pakistan Air Force jets escorted his plane to ensure safety. Erdogan traveled with a high-level delegation, including his wife, First Lady Emine Erdogan. The delegation arrived from Indonesia.
Sharif Praises Erdogan’s Leadership
Prime Minister Sharif expressed admiration for Erdogan. He referred to him as a "visionary statesman" who has transformed Turkey. Sharif shared his thoughts on X, stating, "My brother President Erdogan is a visionary statesman who has transformed Turkey. Under his dynamic leadership, the historical, deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkey have grown from strong to stronger. With this historic visit by President Erdoğan, we are ready to carry these strong ties to even greater heights."
Sevgili kardeşim Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan @RTErdogan ve saygıdeğer kız kardeşim First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Pakistan halkıyla birlikte Pakistan'a geldiğiniz için size sıcak bir şekilde hoş geldiniz diyorum.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 12, 2025
Kardeşim Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, vizyon sahibi bir devlet adamı… pic.twitter.com/HndHpS0HnY
Erdogan’s Meetings and Key Discussions
During his visit, Erdogan will co-chair the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). Furthermore, the two sides are expected to sign several agreements. Erdogan will also hold bilateral meetings with President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif.
The HLSCC aims to provide strategic direction for strengthening bilateral relations. According to a Pakistani government statement, Erdogan’s visit will deepen the brotherly ties between the countries and enhance multifaceted cooperation.
US Embassy Issues Advisory Amid Erdogan’s Visit
Interestingly, Erdogan’s visit coincided with the issuance of a travel advisory by the US Embassy. The advisory warned about a threat from the Pakistani Taliban targeting Islamabad’s Faisal mosque. As a result, the US advised its citizens to avoid visiting the mosque and surrounding areas until further notice.