ISLAMABAD

Pakistan fully supports Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Thursday in Islamabad.

"Pakistan fully supports the cause of (Turkish Republic of) Northern Cyprus and fully stands by Türkiye on this cause in an unwavering fashion," Sharif said at a joint news conference in Islamabad with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan. He arrived in the Pakistani capital Wednesday night after visits to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sharif said Erdogan is a "very important and highly respected leader of the Islamic world."

"You have also led from the front, speaking for the problems and speaking for the rights of oppressed people, be it people of Gaza, Palestine or Kashmir," Sharif said. "When you speak, not only millions of people in the Islamic world hear you very attentively but the globe hears you when you speak," he said, lauding Erdogan for "transforming" Türkiye.

The Pakistani premier said Türkiye has always stood by the "just cause of the people" of Jammu and Kashmir and "always maintained your stance loud and clear," adding that he extends his "unwavering" support to Ankara.

Recalling sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism, Sharif thanked the Turkish president for solidarity on the loss of lives.

Reiterating Islamabad’s resolve against the "menace of terrorism," Sharif urged neighboring Afghanistan "to help in fighting terrorism, not in spreading terrorism."

Thanking Erdogan for visiting the South Asian nation, his first in five years, Sharif said his government and the people of Pakistan "warmly welcome" him in Islamabad.

The Pakistani government also named a newly constructed interchange - a road junction - in Islamabad after Erdogan.

Along with Sharif, the Turkish president, at a simple ceremony, unveiled the plaque to inaugurate the interchange at the prime minister's office, a statement from the Pakistani government said.

The interchange, which aims to connect several key capital areas, has been constructed at the junction of Jinnah Avenue and Afgha Shahi Avenue.

*Aamir Latif in Karachi contributed to this report