Pakistan and Turkey pledged to work toward increasing their bilateral trade volume to $5 billion.
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Islamabad last week and was received by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Following a warm welcome, Erdogan met with Prime Minister Sharif, where both leaders emphasized expanding their current trade agreement, with a focus on enhancing defense and investment sectors.
Erdogan expressed that Turkish investors would be encouraged to increase their engagement in Pakistan, and military cooperation had already boosted trade. He was confident that 24 agreements signed during the visit would benefit both nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged that although both countries were committed to reaching the $5 billion trade target, much work remained to be done. He emphasized his commitment to supporting Turkish investors and ensuring smooth operations in Pakistan. He also apologized for any past inconvenience faced by Turkish businesses, pledging to make improvements going forward.
During the visit, Erdogan and Sharif signed various agreements covering trade, water resources, energy, defense, culture, and social services. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sharif welcomed Erdogan and praised Turkey for its unwavering support in times of disaster, including earthquakes and floods. Erdogan, in return, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the strengthening of bilateral relations. He also highlighted the expansion of military cooperation, which had been a critical pillar of the partnership.
Before the meeting with Sharif, Erdogan was greeted at the Prime Minister’s House with a formal guard of honor, which included a salute from fighter jets. The Turkish President also met with President Zardari, where both reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in energy, tourism, and trade. Zardari encouraged Turkish businesses to increase investments in Pakistan’s key sectors, especially in the stock market.
Erdogan’s visit marks the final leg of his overseas tour, which also included stops in Malaysia and Indonesia. His visit underscored the growing strategic and economic ties between the two countries, particularly in defense cooperation. Turkey has become a key arms supplier to Pakistan, and both countries are deepening their military collaboration with joint projects like the Milgem warships and drone technology.
The two countries have also shared interests in regional security, particularly concerning the crises in Syria and Gaza. Erdogan’s visit is expected to pave the way for further discussions on issues such as counterterrorism and post-conflict reconstruction in Syria, along with greater economic cooperation in digital trade and trade liberalization. The visit marks an important step in strengthening the Strategic Economic Framework between Pakistan and Turkey, which both leaders are eager to expand.
This high-level visit between Erdogan and Sharif exemplifies the shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation, ensuring that agreements move beyond the paper stage into actionable projects that benefit both countries and the region. — ERMD
