PM Shehbaz welcomes PKK's dissolution paving way for 'terror-free Turkiye'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a meeting of the heads of coalition parties at the PM House in Islamabad on April 26, 2023. — Online 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan welcomed the announcement of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) dissolution, a significant step toward lasting peace and a terror-free Turkiye.

Taking to his X handle, the PM said: “This historic development reflects the unflinching resolve of the Turkish leadership, under my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish nation, to continue their march forward towards reconciliation, unity and stability.”

Together, he further said Pakistan and Turkiye remained committed to root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The PKK announced its dissolution and the end of more than four decades of armed struggle against the Turkish state, the pro-Kurd ANF news agency reported earlier today. 

"The 12th PKK Congress has decided to dissolve the PKK's organisational structure and end its method of armed struggle," the group announced in a statement after holding its congress last week.

The PKK's announcement to dissolve itself heeds a call by its founder Abdullah Ocalan, jailed on an island off Istanbul since 1999, who urged his fighters in February to disarm and disband.

In a letter, Ocalan urged the PKK to hold a congress to formalise the decision.

Days later, the PKK's leadership accepted Ocalan's call, declaring a ceasefire.

In a speech on Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinted that news about a dissolution could come at any moment, adding that his government was determined to "save our country from the scourge of terrorism".

"We are advancing with firm steps on the path to the goal of a terror-free Turkey," he said.

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), has waged an insurgency since 1984.

Its original aim was to carve out a homeland for Kurds, who make up about 20% of Turkey's 85 million people.

Since Ocalan was jailed there have been various attempts to end the bloodshed, which has cost more than 40,000 lives.

— With additional input from AFP