ANKARA, Feb 28, 2026 — A senior Turkish lawmaker has expressed solidarity with Pakistan over cross-border terrorism concerns, urging Afghan authorities to ensure their territory is not used for attacks against Pakistan.
Ali Şahin, a Member of the Turkish Parliament from the ruling AK Party and president of the Türkiye–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, issued a statement in Ankara emphasizing Ankara’s support for Islamabad’s security challenges along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Şahin said Türkiye understands the human and economic toll Pakistan has faced due to militancy and called on Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used for terrorist activities against its neighbor. He urged Afghan authorities to provide clear assurances and cooperate in addressing security threats in the region.
Call for Afghan cooperation
In his statement, Şahin highlighted Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan refugees for decades and referenced the impact of conflict in the border regions during the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan. He noted that Pakistan has borne significant costs during years of instability in the region.
The Turkish lawmaker also stressed the need for joint efforts to prevent militant groups from exploiting Afghan territory for activities that could destabilize Pakistan.
Emphasis on diplomacy
Addressing longstanding border tensions, including the Durand Line dispute, Şahin advocated resolving such issues through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He emphasized peaceful negotiation as the preferred path to stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Şahin concluded by referencing Islamic principles regarding unity and non-violence among Muslim-majority nations and cited poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal to underscore historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Pakistan.
The statement was issued through the Pakistan–Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group in Ankara.
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