ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday welcomed the announcement of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) dissolution, terming it a significant step toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
“This development is an important step towards sustainable peace and stability,” said the Foreign Office in a statement, reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent support for Turkey in all matters of mutual interest, especially counterterrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X, hailed the move as a “historic development,” praising the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the resilience of the Turkish nation in their pursuit of reconciliation and unity. He reaffirmed Pakistan and Turkey’s joint resolve to eliminate terrorism in all forms.
PKK Ends Armed Struggle After 40 Years
The PKK officially declared its dissolution during its 12th congress in northern Iraq, marking an end to over four decades of armed insurgency. The decision aligns with longstanding calls from jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan, who earlier this year urged the group and its affiliates to cease their violent campaign.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organisation by NATO, the U.S., and the EU, has been responsible for a conflict that claimed nearly 40,000 lives since the late 1970s.
The Turkish government welcomed the move with cautious optimism. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara would monitor follow-up actions closely, adding, “If implemented sincerely, this decision will be beneficial for all and for our shared future.”
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