PM Imran assures Erdogan of Pakistan’s support, solidarity over Turkey's Syria operation

Published October 11, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on January 4. — AFP/File
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on January 4. — AFP/File

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday telephoned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express solidarity and support for Ankara as it faces international pressure over Turkey's ongoing operation against Kurdish forces in Syria.

The premier during the conversation told the Turkish president that "Pakistan fully understands Turkey’s concerns relating to terrorism", a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

"As a country which has lost more than 70,000 lives due to terrorism and borne the burden of more than 3 million refugees for decades, Pakistan is fully cognisant of the threats and challenges being faced by Turkey having lost 40,000 of its people to terrorism," the prime minister was quoted as saying.

"We pray that Turkey’s efforts for enhanced security, regional stability and peaceful resolution of the Syrian situation are fully successful," he added.

Turkey considers Kurdish militants in northern Syria a "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish insurgents in its own territory.

It wants a 30 kilometre wide buffer zone along the border, which can also serve as an area to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey. In this regard, Turkey earlier this week launched a military offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, causing concerns among several countries who have called on Ankara to show restraint.

During the phone call, Prime Minister Imran said that the government and people of Pakistan are looking forward to accord a warm welcome to President Erdogan on his forthcoming visit to Pakistan later this month.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.