Prime Minister Shehbaz garners attention at the Turkmenistan Peace Forum with significant international engagements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today became a pivotal figure at the high-level international forum in Turkmenistan, where global leaders convened to commemorate the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

The event, held in Ashgabat, convened distinguished regional leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

During the assembly, PM Shehbaz was a central figure for the participating leaders. He conducted distinct informal dialogues with President Putin, President Erdogan, President Rahmon, and President Japarov, which officials characterized as amicable and productive interactions. He commended Turkmenistan’s hospitality and the cordiality of the residents of Ashgabat.

A notable bilateral meeting occurred between Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders assessed bilateral relations, regional collaboration, and investment opportunities. Both parties deliberated on enhancing collaborations in energy, petroleum, minerals, political alignment, defense cooperation, and economic involvement. The Prime Minister articulated Pakistan’s desire to leverage Turkiye’s expertise in the privatization of energy distribution enterprises, with both leaders consenting to expedite ministerial-level interactions.

Collaborative efforts among regions

Conversations also addressed the reestablishment of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network. Shehbaz Sharif praised President Erdogan’s leadership toward Gaza peace initiatives and recognized Turkiye’s positive contribution in promoting dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. He emphasized that regional stability depends on thoroughly addressing Pakistan’s security issues.

Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Pezeshkian concur to enhance bilateral collaboration.

The Prime Minister met with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the changing regional and international context and the necessity of collaborative strategies to address common concerns.

In his address at the event, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized significant global concerns, including climate change, poverty, and inequality as the foremost risks to humanity. He emphasized Pakistan’s proactive involvement in promoting global peace and security, recalling its contributions since obtaining a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

He cautioned about increased hazards originating from Afghan territory and encouraged the international community to compel the Afghan Taliban administration to meet its responsibilities in restraining terrorist organizations operating within its borders. He repeated Pakistan’s endorsement of the current peace initiatives in Gaza, acknowledging the assistance from Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, and reaffirmed the right to self-determination for both Palestinians and Kashmiris.

The Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan’s development aspirations, noting advancements in financial inclusion and initiatives to integrate women and marginalized groups into the economic mainstream. He highlighted Pakistan’s international acknowledgment in ecosystem restoration but warned that climate-induced disasters and disparities in the global finance system persistently hinder impoverished countries.

Request for unified action

Shehbaz Sharif underscored that sustained peace is contingent upon development, advocating for fair access to new technologies, particularly digital tools. He advocated for increased investment in connection initiatives that integrate individuals, concepts, and markets, imploring the international community to establish a collaborative trajectory towards peace, trust, and mutual prosperity.

At the conclusion of the forum, the Pakistani prime convened with global leaders to commemorate Turkmenistan’s thirty-year milestone of neutrality.