Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Turkey’s solidarity following India’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory. During their Wednesday phone call, Erdogan condoled the loss of Pakistani lives.
He also affirmed Turkey’s readiness to support the descelation efforts in South Asia. Shehbaz acknowledged Turkey’s peacemaking role while vowing Pakistan would “Protect its sovereignty at all costs.”
The exchange followed Pakistan’s military response to India’s May 7 strikes, which targeted civilian areas including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Muridke. According to DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistani forces repelled the attack.
They downed five Indian jets alongside a combat drone while destroying several border installations. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif cited Indian media reports confirming three aircraft crashes in occupied Kashmir, condemning India’s strikes on the civilians.
He termed it as “Blatant violations of international law.” PM Shehbaz, in a national address, defined India’s aggression a “Grave mistake” with consequences, as both nations edge closer to a full scale conflict despite international calls for restraint.
Turkey’s intervention shows its growing diplomatic role in the crisis, with Erdogan personally backing Pakistan’s call for independent investigations into recent violence, including the April 22 Pahalgam attack that initially sparked the tensions.