Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday called for urgent efforts to turn the current ceasefire momentum into a durable and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where they reviewed regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye ties.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both sides stressed the need to “effectively utilise the current window of opportunity” to advance peace, as diplomatic efforts continue to extend the ongoing ceasefire and resume negotiations.

President Erdogan welcomed PM Shehbaz and praised Pakistan’s role in mediating regional tensions, pledging Turkiye’s continued support for Islamabad’s diplomatic initiatives.

The prime minister thanked Erdogan for his hospitality and congratulated him on the success of the forum, calling it a key global platform for dialogue.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and other senior officials.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to hold the 8th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Ankara later this year.

They also underscored the need to accelerate ongoing projects and explore new avenues to deepen economic cooperation, reaffirming their resolve to further strengthen the strategic partnership based on shared goals of peace and prosperity.