Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Shehbaz congratulated the Turkmen leader on the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality and the UN’s designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

He underscored the importance of Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Turkmenistan and called for stronger trade and economic engagement.

The prime minister thanked Turkmenistan for helping evacuate Pakistani nationals from Iran during the Iran-Israel conflict earlier this year.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest in boosting regional connectivity through land and sea routes, noting that Karachi and Gwadar ports offer Turkmenistan direct access to South Asia and global markets.

Shehbaz also conveyed warm wishes for Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, and renewed Pakistan’s invitation for both Turkmen leaders to visit Islamabad next year.

President Berdimuhamedov thanked the prime minister for attending the International Forum on Peace and Trust and said Turkmenistan was eager to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.

Shehbaz arrived in Ashgabat on a two-day official visit to participate in events marking the International Year of Peace and Trust (2025), the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality.

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Energy Minister Awais Leghari, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and senior officials.