Shabana Ayaz
Ankara: Senior Turkish parliamentarian Ali Şahin has expressed strong solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against cross-border terrorism, urging Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
In a formal communiqué issued from Ankara, Şahin — a member of Türkiye’s ruling AK Party and president of the Türkiye–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group — said Ankara fully understood the sacrifices Pakistan had made in combating terrorism emanating from Afghan soil.
Call for Afghan Cooperation
Şahin stressed that Afghanistan must not allow any third party to use its territory to carry out terrorist activities against Pakistan.
He noted that Pakistan had historically supported Afghanistan, hosting millions of Afghan refugees following the Soviet occupation and bearing significant human and economic costs during the US-led war on terror.
According to the statement, more than 50,000 Pakistani citizens lost their lives in terrorism-related violence, including drone strikes and cross-border attacks in the Afghanistan–Pakistan border regions.
Warning Against ‘Malicious Agendas’
The Turkish lawmaker warned that certain elements were exploiting Afghan territory to destabilise the region, arguing that Pakistan and Afghanistan, as neighbouring Muslim countries, shared common security concerns.
He called on the Afghan government and people to extend full cooperation to eliminate threats targeting Pakistan and to provide clear assurances that Afghan soil would not be used for hostile activities.
Diplomatic Resolution of Border Issues
Addressing longstanding border tensions, Şahin advocated peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes, including matters related to the Durand Line, through mutual diplomacy and negotiation.
He emphasised that regional stability required cooperation rather than confrontation and rejected any approach that would inflame historical grievances.
Invoking Islamic principles, he stated that violence between Muslim nations must be avoided, adding that unity and collaboration were essential for regional peace.
Fraternal Ties Between Ankara and Islamabad
Şahin concluded his remarks by quoting poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, underscoring the deep historical and cultural bonds between Türkiye and Pakistan.
The statement reinforces Ankara’s position as a close ally of Islamabad and highlights Türkiye’s support for counter-terrorism cooperation and diplomatic engagement to ensure stability in South Asia.
