Ashgabat: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to enhance connectivity with Turkmenistan through land and sea routes. He made this statement during a meeting with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized that Karachi and Gwadar ports are strategically positioned to help Turkmenistan extend its outreach to South Asia and beyond. During the meeting, he congratulated the Turkmen President on the 30th anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan and the UN’s designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the historical and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in trade and economic engagement. He also expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leadership for assisting in the safe evacuation of Pakistani nationals from Iran during the Iran-Israel war earlier this year.

He thanked the Turkmen President for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and conveyed warm wishes for National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He also extended an invitation to both Berdimuhamedovs to visit Pakistan next year, with dates to be arranged by both parties.

The Turkmen President expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s visit and participation in the International Forum on Peace and Trust and voiced Turkmenistan’s interest in enhancing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in various fields.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Ashgabat for a two-day official visit to participate in the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust (2025), the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality.