'Dialogue not war' is the solution to Pak-India problems: Turkish ambassador

Published February 26, 2019
Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul underscores the need for negotiations to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. — Turkish embassy in Islamabad
Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul underscores the need for negotiations to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. — Turkish embassy in Islamabad

Turkish ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul on Monday said that Istanbul is aligned with Islamabad's stance on the Kashmir issue, as he stressed that the only solution to Pak-India problems is "dialogue and not war".

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Yurdakul said that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had condemned the Pulwama attack but underscored the need for negotiations to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.

The ambassador said that Pakistani and Turkish foreign ministers, during a phone call, had declared the resolution of the Kashmir issue as imperative, adding that the two countries are in agreement on all bilateral matters.

Yurdakul acknowledged Pakistan's central role in fight against terrorism, recalling that Pakistan backed Turkey in the face of every challenge and was among the first countries to declare Fethullah Gulen a terrorist.

"Pakistan and Turkey have been battling terrorism for the past 30 to 40 years, and taking indiscriminate action against all terrorist organisations," he said.

The Turkish ambassador questioned where those raising voices from the European Union were when the "two countries were passing through challenges".

Yurdakul said that Pakistan and Turkey are working on a strategic economic framework, which he said would be finalised soon.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit of Turkey was a "very successful" one, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would do a reciprocal visit of Pakistan following the local body elections.

Opinion

Editorial

Pressure politics
Updated 28 May, 2026

Pressure politics

The attempt to connect the Iran conflict with the Abraham Accords makes little sense.
Eid’s true spirit
Updated 27 May, 2026

Eid’s true spirit

Pakistan celebrates Eid while grappling with economic strain that continues to weigh heavily on ordinary households.
Cotton crisis
Updated 29 May, 2026

Cotton crisis

We need a coherent long-term cotton strategy or else, Pakistan might lose a key pillar of its export economy.
Balochistan tragedy
Updated 26 May, 2026

Balochistan tragedy

The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest, yet seems to be short on ideas on how to prevent the ingress of such actors and their ideologies in Baloch society.
Economic engagement
26 May, 2026

Economic engagement

AN array of investment MoUs valued at $7bn signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s China visit signifies...
Flotilla abuse
26 May, 2026

Flotilla abuse

THE testimonies that have emerged from international activists, who were part of a Gaza-bound flotilla, paint a...