PM arrives in Turkey to discuss Yemen crisis

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif arrived in Ankara for an official one-day visit during which he is scheduled to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discuss the ongoing Saudi-Yemen crisis.

Premier Sharif was received at the Ankara airport by Turkish Minister for Environment and Urbanisation.

In his pre-departure statement, the prime minister said that Pakistan believed in a peaceful resolution of the crisis and wished to promote unity among Muslim countries.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Chaudhry are accompanying the premier.

The visit was finalised during Sharif’s telephonic conversation with the Turkish president.

More on this: Nawaz assures Saudi King Salman of Pakistan Army support

Earlier this week, the government had decided to reach out to “the leadership of brotherly Muslim countries” in order to facilitate "early resolution of the crisis and promoting peace and unity in the Muslim Ummah”.

“The prime minister and the president of Turkey will exchange views on the situation relating to Yemen. They will also discuss how the two countries can be helpful in addressing the issue,” the FO had earlier said.

Explore: Pakistan will not participate in conflict that divides Muslim Ummah, says Khawaja Asif

Saudi-Yemen conflict: Where should Pakistan stand?

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zubaida khan

Apr 03, 2015 09:33am

He did take Shehbaz?

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hyat

Apr 03, 2015 09:36am

cant they talk in telephone?

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TooTrue

Apr 03, 2015 09:39am

Well this is to seek a fig leaf. If Turkey were to provide even a platoon, or a marching band, Nawaz could then claim Turkish cover. Sadly for him Turkey is far too sophisticated, islamist president excepted, to get involved in something this spectacularly dumb.

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Omar

Apr 03, 2015 09:45am

Someone who has been unable to solve at home bijli,pani ,gas crisis is off to Turkey to solve others crises. I really needed a good laugh today.

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aman

Apr 03, 2015 09:48am

are you sure he's going there to discuss crisis or maybe he is going there to get himself good business deals?......

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guest

Apr 03, 2015 09:50am

@zubaida khan Why you are so much concern?

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Hope

Apr 03, 2015 09:54am

I wish he could take his own country issues that seriously

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nation lover

Apr 03, 2015 09:57am

world tour in the name of yemen crisis with people taxes

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Sunil

Apr 03, 2015 10:08am

What is there to discuss? Let the Yemenis solve their problem.

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Maxx.

Apr 03, 2015 10:16am

...and to look after his personal business interests. He should engage Iran and Saudia instead and try to mediate and moderate. When was the last time this region has a true leader.

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guest

Apr 03, 2015 10:17am

We should not give so much importance to the concern, because they were the first who recognized Israel for personal entrust, leaving behind Muslim entrust, how come they will be good for the Muslim world?

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Kalwar, Munwar Ali

Apr 03, 2015 10:26am

State Media constantly reports that decision of sending troops to Middle East will be taken by the Parliament. Government this decision will lead religious overt rift between Sunni and Shahi sect. According to Wikipedia, there are about ninety million shaia sect inhabits in Pakistan. Parliament will do not honor the vote of Shaia community...This is crux of matter which is going to be decided by the Pakistan Parliament.

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Arshad Ahmed Patel, West Chester,Ohio, USA.

Apr 03, 2015 10:30am

Nawaz Sharif sure knows how to make foreign trips but the end result will base on Saudi's desire and requirements.

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pady

Apr 03, 2015 10:34am

Pak trying hard to play leader of Muslim world who no asking to do so...

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prada

Apr 03, 2015 10:54am

Good job. This is the way to do it consultation a at home and abroad rather than taking a foolish decision like Musharraf.

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Danish

Apr 03, 2015 10:55am

Dude, who is going to discuss the Pakistani crisis?

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Sonya

Apr 03, 2015 11:05am

I think the visit is to persuade Turkey to join this Saudi War on its neighbour as Pakistan (non-Arab) will feel lonely in the coalition.

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Voice of Human Justice

Apr 03, 2015 11:10am

It would have been more realistic and helpful if he would have visited Iran before Turkey. Turkey's open support to Al Qaeda Linked Terrorist Groups in Syria makes pointless to ask them for their involvement in this issue. Everyone knows that their stance would be in favor of escalating the attacks on Yemen rather than for a peaceful resolution of the issue.

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czar

Apr 03, 2015 11:30am

why not similar consultation with “the leadership of brotherly Muslim countries” on our western border?

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Talha

Apr 03, 2015 11:32am

Why didnt he do a skype call? That would have saved us some money... Or is he going there on a state sponsored business trip and giving Mr. Erdogan an opportunity to meet the PM of Pakistan?

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ZAK

Apr 03, 2015 11:41am

The PM seems to be in a very desperate situation here. Stuck between economic survival and controlling the already shaky sectarian peace. There is no easy way out of this.

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Aaqil

Apr 03, 2015 11:46am

Only neutral and totally unbiased countries can help resolve this or any other issue / conflict. Neither Pakistan nor Turkey can be termed as any where near to be neutral ...and thus don't fit in the criteria. Turkey has in fact blasted Iran and so not understood as to why it has been selected by our PM saheb as the first one among his intention to visit Muslim countries. Our delegation to KSA was said to have been sent to know its concern and assess the situation. Iran also has its concerns, and they are in plenty, but our PM has not found it necessary to visit Iran so far. In the mean time joint session of our parliaments has been convened to meet on 6th to "discuss"what is being termed as the KSA / Yemen conflict. Without paying any attention to the concerns of our neighbour country Iran in this respect how our legislatures can "discuss" or give opinion, if any ??

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Pakistani

Apr 03, 2015 11:55am

God help Yemen and Saudi Arabia and ofcourse Us.The 'genius' at work

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Kalwar, Munwar Ali

Apr 03, 2015 11:56am

@zubaida khan why? shehbaz is the prerequisite condition of talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his counterpart Tayyab Ardagan. Or, you just mocking his routine?

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ZAK

Apr 03, 2015 11:57am

Personally I believe we have to support KSA. Do not forget they have donated $1B recently to Pakistan.

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Srini

Apr 03, 2015 11:58am

Looks like PM saheb is busy trying to solve somebody's problem.

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ashfaq

Apr 03, 2015 12:14pm

Apparently it looks as Pakistani is going to establish an anti Iran coalition...

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Kalwar

Apr 03, 2015 12:50pm

Good start for Muslim unity.

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M. Asghar

Apr 03, 2015 01:03pm

The joined Pak-Turkey mediation effort is the right thing to deal with the Yemeni crisis.

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Zak

Apr 03, 2015 01:29pm

Turkey and pakistan two powerful militaries. They will sort it out.

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Sadiq

Apr 03, 2015 01:47pm

Pakistani Government should not get involved in Saudia-led coilation which comrise of monarchies against yemeni people. Pakistan is already suffering from repercussions of suporting Taliban for toppling legitimate Afghan government. Are Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E, and Bahrain who are in anti Hothis coilation are legitimate governments. Saudi Arab fears from people who may stand against its tyrinical monarchy.

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saz

Apr 03, 2015 01:52pm

Turkish president does not represent Turkish inhabitants. He is ally of saudi Isreli Nato alliance hence asking his help is like asking the offender to intervene and resolve the mess created by them. Would he ever fairly mediate when he has been partial in Syrian and Iraq's invasion by Saudi us nato alliance in recent past. Pakistan should not at all take side of sinking boat of saudi dynasty and their allies. Yemen crisis is not the issue of Saudia. It is the crisis of Yemen inhabitants. Let them solve the issue themselves. In fact the more Saudis will intervene and interfere in internal affair of Yemen and violate international laws of sovereignty of another state they will only harm them. We are surprised why Pakistan's govt is willing to help saudi dynasty an offender of rights of Yemen inhabitants and inhabitants of Syria and Iraq. It would be people of Yemen who will win eventually and they proved they are not divided and they are together against oppressors.

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Shamain 2015

Apr 03, 2015 01:53pm

@pady , wha wha what????

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saz

Apr 03, 2015 01:54pm

It is interesting Pakistan's leadership only visiting saudis and their allies. They paid no respect to contact Yemen inhabitants or even Iran. This is just one sided blind approach and with this blind approach they will only ruin Pakistan and will earn humiliation in the end.

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Syed

Apr 03, 2015 02:33pm

@Sunil Try to understand brother Sunil Saudi's have been selling at least some of the oil at below market prices to us, they saved our financial tail many times, and our rulers need a place to go to when they are toppled. It's just payback time.

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Syed

Apr 03, 2015 02:34pm

Our travelling PM is off again, bet no other country has that either.

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Haider Rehman

Apr 03, 2015 03:18pm

Turkey is fighting on Saudis side. Please don't take part in conflict!

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SHAZ

Apr 03, 2015 03:18pm

@ZAK I agree with you.. We will need KSA's help in future too.

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Muhammed Shafqat Murad

Apr 03, 2015 04:21pm

The clash of interests and dream of hegemony are bringing havoc upon the commoners in this conflict. Muslims are fighting Muslims in the name of what...an incomprehensible and puzzling quest.

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Apr 03, 2015 04:27pm

Please visit Islamabad to discuss Pakistan crisis !

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XYZ

Apr 03, 2015 04:52pm

@Danish He Does not have time to devote to development agenda due to terrorism/electricity problems in Pakistan.. He manages sufficient time for Yemeni Crises ??

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zubaida khan

Apr 03, 2015 05:15pm

intersting, the PM of Turkey did not receive him even though this is a state visit.

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Rehana

Apr 03, 2015 05:58pm

Nawaz must also consult Iran to get a balanced view and to shun the impression that the Sunni majority is ganging up against the Shias. As a Pakistani this matters most.

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Majid Ahmed

Apr 03, 2015 06:29pm

Who gave him this job to solve yemen crisis??

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Arshad Ahmed Patel, West Chester,Ohio, USA.

Apr 03, 2015 06:45pm

@Kalwar, Munwar Ali The current population in Pakistan is a little over 180 million out of which approximately 11% ( about 20 million) are Shia. According to Wikipedia Shia population is 5-20% ( too much variation ), showing that there numbers are not accurate, but still no where near 90 millions as per your claim. One looses the CREDIBILITY when figures are exaggerated.

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guest

Apr 03, 2015 06:57pm

@Kalwar, Munwar Ali Do you know who is the founder of the country?

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A Shah

Apr 04, 2015 05:34am

Enjoy your holiday sir

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TooTrue

Apr 04, 2015 06:13am

Couldn't Turkey have trotted out a more obsecure minister to receive the PM?

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Sarwat

Apr 04, 2015 06:55am

Why don't your house in order first. Running away from responsibilities, ummmmm.

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Naseer

Apr 04, 2015 07:18am

I wish Saudi Arabia had pressured India to solve Kashmir crisis before employing so many Indians in all sectors. I also wish Saudi Arabia was so active when Palestine or Lebanon were attacked or when Daesh was taking over large swaths of land. One thing I do not understand is that has someone attacked Saudi Arabia or is Saudi Arabia attacking another country? From what I heard from local Pakistani's interview in Yemen, local Yemenis both Sunni and Shia (except AQAP) are against Saudi attack. Lets also not forget Saudi role in Saddam’s war on Iran. Turkey and Iran were the only Muslim countries that helped Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars. PAF planes used to land in Iran because our own airports were within reach of Indian aerial attack. Yet this is being portrayed as if Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia.

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