Turkish Parliamentarian Ali Şahin Calls for Pakistan’s Full Membership in OTS

By Shabana Ayaz, Ankara

A member of Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly and Chairman of the Türkiye–Pakistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ali Şahin, has called for granting Pakistan full membership in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Şahin described Türkiye–Pakistan relations as “exceptional, multidimensional and unique,” stressing that the bond between the two countries extends beyond conventional diplomacy and is rooted in shared history, culture and spiritual affinity.

Who is Ali Şahin?

Şahin studied International Relations at the University of Karachi between 1990 and 1997, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is fluent in English, Arabic and Urdu, and has been serving as a Member of Parliament from Gaziantep since 2011, representing the Justice and Development Party.

In 2020, he was awarded the “Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam” by then Pakistani President Arif Alvi in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Türkiye–Pakistan relations.

Key Points from the Statement

A Civilizational and Spiritual Bond

Şahin argued that ties between Pakistan and Türkiye should not be viewed merely through a diplomatic or strategic lens. He described them as a “civilizational and spiritual bond shaped by historical, cultural and inherited connections,” adding that this sense of affinity has been passed down through generations.

Linguistic and Cultural Affinity

Highlighting linguistic ties, Şahin noted that the Urdu language itself derives from a Turkic term and continues to carry strong Turkic influences, with thousands of words still in everyday use.

Historical and Ethnic Links

He recalled that large parts of South Asia were historically ruled by Turkic-origin dynasties, including the Ghaznavids, the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. According to Şahin, the presence of family names such as “Turk,” “Barlas,” “Qizilbash,” and “Uzbek” in Pakistan today reflects this shared historical legacy.

Iqbal–Rumi Connection

Referring to intellectual history, Şahin cited the relationship between Allama Iqbal and Jalaluddin Rumi as a symbol of deep spiritual and philosophical ties between the two societies. He also noted that both societies share Sunni Hanafi and Maturidi traditions.

Shared Legacy of Independence

Şahin pointed to the support extended by Muslims of the subcontinent during Türkiye’s War of Independence, describing it as part of a shared historical destiny rather than a purely diplomatic gesture.

Strategic Dimension

From a geopolitical perspective, he described Pakistan as a “natural ally” of Türkiye in South Asia and a cultural extension of its broader sphere of influence, aligning with Türkiye’s “Geography of the Heart” vision.

Emerging Regional Context

The statement comes at a time of deepening trilateral cooperation between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Leaders including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ilham Aliyev and Shehbaz Sharif have held high-level meetings in recent years, including summits in 2024 and May 2025 in Lachin.

Professor Muhittin Ataman of the SETA Foundation, editor of Insight Turkey, has also suggested that Türkiye and Azerbaijan could invite Pakistan as an observer in the OTS.

At the October 2025 summit in Gabala, the OTS introduced the “OTS+” format, aimed at institutionalizing cooperation with non-member states—an initiative analysts see as a potential pathway for Pakistan’s gradual integration.

Official Position and Expert Views

During President Erdoğan’s visit to Pakistan in February 2025, 27 memoranda of understanding were signed, covering defence, energy and transport cooperation. However, no official statement has yet been issued by Ankara regarding Pakistan’s full membership in the OTS.

Experts remain divided. Supporters, including Professor Ataman, argue that shared interests can be sufficient grounds for deeper regional integration. Critics, however, point out that Türkiye and Pakistan are not among each other’s top 15 trading partners, raising questions about the depth of economic ties.

Additionally, the OTS has traditionally been composed of Turkic-speaking states, making full membership for Pakistan less straightforward. Many analysts suggest that observer status may be a more practical initial step.

Şahin’s statement is being viewed as one of the most detailed and assertive calls to date for Pakistan’s inclusion in the OTS. With evolving regional alignments and new institutional frameworks such as OTS+, the proposal appears increasingly plausible—though any formal move will ultimately depend on decisions at the state level.

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