PM Shehbaz steals spotlight at Turkmenistan Peace Forum with key global meetings

ASHGABAT (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today emerged as a central figure at the high-level international forum held in Turkmenistan, where world leaders gathered to mark the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

The event, hosted in Ashgabat, brought together prominent regional figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

Throughout the gathering, PM Shehbaz remained a focal point for the attending leaders. He held separate informal discussions with President Putin, President Erdogan, President Rahmon and President Japarov, in what officials described as cordial and constructive exchanges. He praised Turkmenistan’s hospitality and the warmth of the people of Ashgabat.

Met my dear brother, President @RTErdogan, on the sidelines of the International Forum on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. It is always a pleasure to exchange views with a time-tested and trusted friend of Pakistan.

We reaffirmed the deep, historic bonds between Pakistan and Türkiye… pic.twitter.com/K7zklBllrL

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 12, 2025

A significant bilateral meeting took place between Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties, regional cooperation and investment prospects. Both sides discussed strengthening partnerships in energy, petroleum, minerals, political coordination, defence cooperation and economic engagement. The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s interest in benefiting from Turkiye’s experience in the privatisation of electricity distribution companies, with both leaders agreeing to accelerate ministerial-level exchanges.

Regional cooperation

Discussions also covered the revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network. Shehbaz Sharif commended President Erdogan’s leadership on Gaza peace efforts and acknowledged Turkiye’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. He stressed, however, that regional stability hinges on addressing Pakistan’s security concerns comprehensively.

PM Shehbaz, President Pezeshkian agree to boost bilateral cooperation

The prime minister also met the Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, reviewing the evolving regional and international landscape and the importance of coordinated approaches to shared challenges.

Addressing the forum, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted major global challenges, calling climate change, poverty and inequality the most serious threats to humanity. He underscored Pakistan’s active role in advancing global peace and security, recalling its contributions since assuming a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

He warned of heightened risks emanating from Afghan soil and urged the international community to press the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfil its obligations to curb terrorist groups operating from its territory. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for ongoing peace efforts in Gaza, welcoming the backing of Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran, and reiterated the right to self-determination for Palestinians and Kashmiris.

Highlighting Pakistan’s development priorities, the Prime Minister noted progress in financial inclusion and efforts to bring women and vulnerable groups into the economic mainstream. He pointed to Pakistan’s global recognition in eco-system restoration but cautioned that climate-induced disasters and inequities in the international financial system continued to impede developing nations.

Call for collective action

Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that sustainable peace depends on development, urging equitable access to advanced technologies, especially digital tools. He called for greater investment in connectivity projects that unite people, ideas and markets, urging the global community to build a shared path towards peace, trust and collective prosperity.

At the close of the forum, the Pakistani premier joined the world leaders, marking Turkmenistan’s milestone of thirty years of neutrality.