Türkiye stands firm with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. Turkish MP Ali Sahin calls for Afghan cooperation

2026-02-28 - 20:14

ShabanaAyaz Special Correspondent, Pakistan Observer Ankara, Türkiye Ali Şahin, a prominent Member of the Turkish Parliament (AK Party), President of the Türkiye-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and a member of the European Union and NATO Assemblies, has issued a strong communiqué expressing unwavering solidarity with Pakistan in its struggle against cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil. In his detailed statement, Şahin underscored that Türkiye fully comprehends and shares the profound pain, sacrifices, and heavy human and economic toll Pakistan has endured due to terrorism spilling across its borders. He emphasized: Afghanistan must never be allowed to let a third country use its territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Şahin highlighted Pakistan’s historical generosity toward Afghanistan, noting that Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades following the Soviet occupation and bore immense costs during the U.S.-led “war on terror” in Afghanistan. He pointed out that over 50,000 Pakistani citizens lost their lives as a result of drone strikes and other attacks in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions during that period. The Turkish lawmaker warned that certain elements are exploiting Afghan territory to advance malicious agendas in the region, stressing that *Pakistan and Muslim Afghanistan share common enemies*. He called on the Afghan government and people to recognize this reality and extend full cooperation to eliminate security threats facing Pakistan. Şahin demanded that Afghanistan provide unequivocal assurances that its soil will not be used for any form of terrorism against Pakistan, urging comprehensive collaboration to address these challenges. Addressing longstanding border disputes, he advocated for peaceful resolution of issues like the Durand Line through mutual diplomacy and negotiations, rejecting any colonial legacies that fuel tensions. Invoking Islamic principles, Şahin reminded that *“the blood of a Muslim is forbidden to another Muslim,”* calling for greater unity, brotherhood, and fraternity within the Muslim Ummah to counter division and external manipulation. In a poignant conclusion, he quoted the renowned Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal:=*”China and Arabia are ours, India is ours We are Muslims, the whole world is our homeland”* This statement from Ali Şahin reinforces the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Türkiye and Pakistan, positioning Türkiye as a steadfast ally in advocating for regional stability, counter-terrorism cooperation, and diplomatic solutions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It comes amid ongoing concerns over cross-border militant activities and underscores the need for collective Muslim solidarity against shared threats.