Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's planned visit to Pakistan has been postponed, the foreign office announced here on Thursday, amidst growing international pressure, including from India, on Ankara to stop a cross-border offensive against Kurdish-led forces in Syria.
The media here earlier reported that the Turkish president would pay an official visit to Pakistan on October 23 to cement bilateral ties and back Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir issue after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status in August.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal confirmed that President Erdogan's visit has been postponed but did not give a reason for the move.
"Pakistan and Turkey have deep brotherly ties and both the countries maintain regular leadership level contacts. The scheduled visit of the Turkish president has been postponed for the time being and it will be rescheduled, Faisal while addressing a weekly news briefing in here.
He said that a new date for the visit is yet to be determined.
Faisal said Turkey remained a victim of terrorism for a long time and we need to recognise its legitimate security concerns in the region.
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"Prime Minister Imran Khan has called the Turkish President and reiterated Pakistan's support and solidarity with Turkey," The Express Tribune quoted the spokesperson as saying.
Turkey has come increasing international pressure after launching a military operation against the US-aligned Kurdish militia. The US imposed sanctions on Ankara and major European nations condemned the Turkish move and banned the sale of weapons to the NATO member.
India has voiced its deep concern over the "unilateral military offensive" by Turkey in northeastern Syria and asserted that the action can undermine stability in the region as well as the fight against terrorism.
Reacting to the development, Ministry of External Affairs said: "We are deeply concerned at the unilateral military offensive by Turkey in northeast Syria."
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