Turkish MP Ali Şahin Calls for Pakistan’s Full Membership in OTS

Ankara: (Report by Shabana Ayaz ) A senior member of Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly and Chairman of the Türkiye–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ali Şahin, has called for granting full membership of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to Pakistan.

In a detailed statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Şahin described Türkiye–Pakistan relations as “exceptional, multidimensional, and unique,” emphasizing that the ties go far beyond conventional diplomacy.

He stated that the relationship between the two nations is rooted in a “civilizational and almost genetic bond,” shaped by centuries of shared history, cultural interaction, and religious affinity.

Highlighting linguistic connections, Şahin noted that the Urdu language itself derives from a Turkic word and continues to carry strong Turkic influences.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Fidan holds talks with PM Shehbaz in Antalya

Referring to historical links, he pointed out that Turkic-origin dynasties such as the Ghaznavids, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughals ruled large parts of South Asia, leaving a lasting imprint on the region.

On the intellectual and spiritual front, Şahin cited the relationship between Allama Iqbal and Jalaluddin Rumi as a powerful symbol of deep-rooted cultural and philosophical affinity between the two societies.

He also recalled the support extended by Muslims of the subcontinent during Türkiye’s War of Independence, describing it as part of a shared historical destiny.

From a strategic perspective, Şahin termed Pakistan a “natural ally” of Türkiye in South Asia and an extension of its broader geopolitical and cultural vision.

The statement comes amid growing trilateral cooperation between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan, following recent engagements involving Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ilham Aliyev, and Shahbaz Sharif.

Notably, the OTS has recently introduced the “OTS+” framework to institutionalize cooperation with non-member states, which analysts view as a potential pathway for Pakistan’s gradual integration, possibly starting with observer status.

However, no official statement has yet been issued by Ankara regarding Pakistan’s formal membership in the OTS.