Prime Minister Imran Khan called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday to express solidarity and support for Ankara as he faces international pressure on Turkey's ongoing operation against Kurdish forces in Syria.
The prime minister during the conversation told the Turkish president that "Pakistan fully understands Turkey's concerns related to terrorism," said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
"As a country that has lost more than 70,000 lives due to terrorism and has supported the burden of more than 3 million refugees for decades, Pakistan is fully aware of the threats and challenges facing Turkey having lost 40,000 of its people in The terrorism". The prime minister was quoted as saying.
"We pray that Turkey's efforts to improve security, regional stability and the peaceful resolution of the Syrian situation will be totally successful."
Turkey considers Kurdish militants in northern Syria as a "terrorist" branch of Kurdish insurgents in its own territory.
He wants a buffer zone 30 kilometers wide along the border, which can also serve as an area to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey. In this regard, Turkey earlier this week launched a military offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, causing concern among several countries that have asked Ankara to show moderation.
During the phone call, Prime Minister Imran said that the government and people of Pakistan hope to warmly welcome President Erdogan on his next visit to Pakistan later this month.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1510278/pm-imran-assures-erdogan-of-pakistans-support-solidarity-over-turkeys-syria-operation