Tianjin, China — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday expressed solidarity with Pakistan over the devastating monsoon floods, pledging that Türkiye and its people “stand shoulder to shoulder” with Pakistan in this time of tragedy.
His remarks came during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 700 people have lost their lives and nearly 1,000 others have been injured in flood and rain-related incidents since June 26. Punjab has recorded at least 38 deaths and the displacement of 750,000 people, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) remains the worst-hit with 356 fatalities. In Karachi, 10 deaths were reported after heavy downpours flooded neighborhoods, triggered traffic chaos, and caused prolonged power outages, forcing authorities to impose a rain emergency.
Pakistan–Türkiye ties reaffirmed
During the meeting, Erdoğan and Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over growing cooperation in political, economic, defense, and security sectors.
The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues, with a particular focus on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They reaffirmed support for Palestinian rights, vowing to continue raising their voice against Israeli aggression and “genocidal policies” on global platforms.
Both leaders underscored the historic fraternal bond between Pakistan and Türkiye and resolved to deepen collaboration for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Muslim world and beyond.
Shehbaz at SCO summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Tianjin on Saturday, accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior officials.
At the summit, Shehbaz is expected to present Pakistan’s perspective on regional stability, economic cooperation, and collective disaster management strategies under the SCO framework.
Earlier, the prime minister visited the National Earthquake Simulation Center at Tianjin University, where he praised China’s use of advanced technology for disaster management. He said Pakistan was eager to benefit from Chinese expertise to improve its own disaster preparedness, urging greater collaboration on initiatives like the China-Pakistan Joint Lab and the International Medical Center.
Background on SCO
Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a permanent intergovernmental body promoting political, economic, security, and cultural cooperation. Initially established by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has since expanded to include 10 member states, including Pakistan, India, Iran, and Belarus. It also maintains partnerships with international organizations such as the UN, ASEAN, ECO, and CIS.