ISTANBUL (Agencies) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan–Türkiye relations, describing their partnership as entering a “new phase” focused on expanding trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.
The reaffirmation came during a joint press conference in Istanbul following bilateral and delegation-level talks at the Vahdettin Palace, where both leaders reviewed progress in multiple sectors, including trade, energy, industry, and digital transformation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said discussions with President Erdoğan were “very comprehensive and productive,” adding that both sides had expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in bilateral trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. He said concrete steps were being considered to unlock the full potential of economic partnership between the two countries.
He noted that Pakistan and Türkiye share a “tremendous reservoir of goodwill,” which provides a strong foundation to achieve the mutually agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade. He added that this goal reflected the depth of economic potential that remains largely untapped.
The prime minister said both countries have always stood by each other on matters of core national interest. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Türkiye on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s “principled and unwavering” support for Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and the right to self-determination of its people.
Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted Pakistan’s appreciation for Türkiye’s role in supporting peace efforts and diplomatic initiatives in the region, saying dialogue and mutual respect remain the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and maintaining international peace and security.
He further emphasized that decisions taken during the visit would not remain symbolic but would translate into “greater trade, stronger investment, deeper strategic cooperation, and a better future for the people of both countries.”
Describing Pakistan and Türkiye as “two hearts with one soul,” the prime minister said the relationship is deeply rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual solidarity. He recalled historical bonds dating back to the subcontinent’s support for Türkiye’s War of Independence, describing it as a legacy of sacrifice and friendship that continues today.
He also acknowledged Türkiye’s support during natural disasters in Pakistan, including floods and earthquakes, and cited humanitarian contributions such as the establishment of hospitals, schools, and model villages in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised President Erdoğan’s leadership, calling him a visionary leader who has strengthened Türkiye’s economic, technological, and strategic position over the past two decades.
He said the optimism observed during the Pakistan–Türkiye Business Forum reaffirmed his belief that the economic partnership is entering a new and promising phase under Erdoğan’s leadership.
On his part, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said both countries had reaffirmed their target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion annually. He said discussions covered regional and global issues alongside bilateral cooperation in key economic sectors.
Erdoğan said Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan remains strong across all fields and that both countries were exploring new opportunities in trade and investment. He highlighted plans for a special economic zone in Karachi aimed at boosting industrial cooperation and attracting Turkish investment.
He said negotiations were also underway to expand the scope of the preferential trade agreement between the two countries. He expressed confidence that ongoing business-to-business engagements would further strengthen investment ties.
The Turkish president said cooperation in the defence industry remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations, adding that new joint projects are being implemented to deepen industrial collaboration.
He also identified energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technology as key areas for future cooperation, stating that both countries are committed to advancing shared economic and strategic goals.
Erdoğan further noted Pakistan’s role in regional diplomatic efforts and praised its involvement in facilitating dialogue in international conflicts, including recent developments involving the United States and Iran. He said such efforts had contributed to easing regional tensions and promoting dialogue-based solutions.
He reiterated Türkiye’s continued support for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, stressing that lasting solutions must include the participation of regional countries. He also expressed condolences over recent casualties in Pakistan due to an accident near the Balochistan–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was received at Vahdettin Palace with an official welcome ceremony before holding bilateral talks with President Erdoğan. Senior officials from both countries, including foreign, intelligence, and communications representatives, attended the meetings.
Both sides also reviewed preparations for the upcoming eighth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, scheduled to be held in Türkiye later this year. Prime Minister Shehbaz extended an invitation to President Erdoğan to visit Pakistan.
The visit also included meetings between the Pakistani prime minister and Turkish business leaders, where opportunities in energy, mining, infrastructure, IT, telecommunications, agriculture, and privatisation were discussed. Pakistani officials highlighted investor-friendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in streamlining foreign investment.
Turkish companies expressed interest in expanding operations in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, and telecommunications, while both sides agreed to explore long-term partnerships in emerging sectors such as 5G, digital infrastructure, and technology transfer.
Both leaders concluded that Pakistan and Türkiye’s historic friendship must now be transformed into a stronger economic and investment partnership, reflecting shared aspirations for regional stability and prosperity.
