In phone call, PM Imran and Erdogan decide to enhance cooperation against Covid-19

Published May 25, 2020
In a telephone call to PM Imran, Erdogan exchanged Eidul Fitr greetings and also offered his condolences on the "tragic" plane crash in Karachi.— Turkish Presidency/AP
In a telephone call to PM Imran, Erdogan exchanged Eidul Fitr greetings and also offered his condolences on the "tragic" plane crash in Karachi.— Turkish Presidency/AP

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have decided to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries against the Covid-19 pandemic, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said on Monday.

In a telephone call to PM Imran, Erdogan exchanged Eidul Fitr greetings and also offered his condolences on the "tragic" plane crash in Karachi, the statement said.

PM Imran briefed President Erdogan on the steps his government had taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pakistan.

The premier also thanked the Turkish president for providing Pakistan with medical equipment during the ongoing pandemic, which he said was "reflective of historic linkages between the two countries to help each other in times of need".

Reiterating his earlier remarks about the need to have a coordinated plan of action on debt relief for developing countries, the prime minister told Erdogan such restructuring plans, among others, were needed to stave off "socioeconomic turbulence".

PM Imran also apprised the Turkish president of the worsening human rights situation in occupied Kashmir, which he said was accentuated by a "double lockdown and intensified military crackdown".

"He [PM Imran] also shared Pakistan’s concerns on India’s moves to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, while the world was preoccupied with fighting the pandemic," the press release added.

The prime minister briefed Erdogan on the demonisation of Indian Muslims amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in India, saying that India's actions should be rejected by the international community, the statement read.

Opinion

Editorial

Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...
Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...