Pakistan and Turkey have underlined the need for a joint mechanism to strengthen bilateral cooperation on international matters besides calling for a combined strategy in the wake of growing Islamophobia.

The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Islamabad today (Wednesday).

The two foreign ministers agreed on early implementation of the decisions taken by the high level Strategic Cooperation Council in its meeting held in Islamabad.

Apprising him of the unabated Indian atrocities and Indian oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked for constant support of Turkey on the issue.

Both the countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in education sector and also held delegation level talks.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi greeted Mevlut Cavusoglu on conferment of Hilal-i-Pakistan by President Arif Alvi earlier in the day.

He said both the countries should ponder over the measures to transform the cooperation into strategic partnership.

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister urged the international community to pressurize India to grant access to neutral observers to the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to make them know the facts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked Shah Mahmood Qureshi for warm welcome and said they considered Pakistan as their second home.

He also underlined to continue joint efforts to strengthen trade and economic cooperation.