ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the announcement of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) dissolving its organizational structure, calling it a significant step toward lasting peace and a terror-free Türkiye.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Prime Minister praised the move as a historic development. “This reflects the unflinching resolve of the Turkish leadership, under my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Turkish nation, to continue their march toward reconciliation, unity, and stability,” he said.
He further emphasized that Pakistan and Türkiye remain united in their commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The announcement was also welcomed by the Foreign Office, with spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stating, “Pakistan considers this an important step toward sustainable peace and regional stability.” He reaffirmed the close ties between the two nations, adding that Pakistan and Türkiye have consistently supported each other in efforts to combat terrorism.
The development follows a report by pro-Kurdish ANF News, which confirmed that the PKK had decided to dissolve its organizational structure and abandon its decades-long armed struggle against the Turkish state. The decision was made during the group’s 12th congress held last week.
The announcement aligns with a call made in February by PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999. In a letter, Ocalan urged the group to disarm and formally end the conflict. The PKK leadership responded by declaring a ceasefire and later agreeing to dissolve the organization.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a speech over the weekend, hinted that such a development was imminent. “We are advancing with firm steps toward a terror-free Türkiye,” he said.
Designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK began its insurgency in 1984, initially seeking an independent Kurdish state. The decades-long conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, with multiple failed attempts at reconciliation over the years.
The dissolution marks a potentially transformative moment in Türkiye’s domestic security landscape and regional counterterrorism dynamics.
