PM Shehbaz Sharif visits Turkmenistan’s Monument of Neutrality

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside the President of Turkmenistan and fellow heads of state, visited the iconic Monument of Neutrality in Ashgabat on Friday as part of his diplomatic tour.

The visit featured a formal ceremony, with the leaders participating in the laying of a floral wreath at the monument, a symbol commemorating Turkmenistan’s unique status of permanent neutrality.

The Prime Minister’s engagement in the capital is centered on his participation in a major international forum. The event marks the convergence of three significant occasions: the “International Year of Peace and Trust 2025,” the “International Day of Neutrality,” and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s adoption of permanent neutrality.

On the sidelines of the forum, Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with other global leaders in attendance, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic ties and discuss matters of mutual interest.

What is Monument of Neutrality?

The Monument of Neutrality is Ashgabat’s iconic 95-meter landmark, symbolizing Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality recognized by the UN in 1995. Built in 1998, it originally stood in the city center but was relocated and heightened in 2011. Crowned by a 12-meter golden statue of the first president, it is designed with three pillars resembling a traditional “tagan” and five levels representing Turkmen tribes. Inside are exhibition halls and observation decks offering panoramic views. The monument is central to Neutrality Day celebrations each December 12 and is set within a landscaped park, making it a key emblem of the nation’s identity and modern achievements.