Pakistan, Türkiye Aim to Strengthen Economic Ties

Pakistan and Türkiye are working to boost their economic partnership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at a reception in Islamabad, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

The two countries are seeking to match their strong political and strategic ties with a deeper economic bond, Sharif said as the chief guest at a reception marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

Under President Erdogan's leadership, Türkiye has become an economic powerhouse, a pioneer in defence technology, and one of the world's most generous humanitarian donors, Sharif said.

He recalled the historical ties between the two nations, citing the Khilafat Movement, when Muslims in the subcontinent stood by Türkiye during its War of Independence, even under British rule.

The Makkah Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, between Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, is an important milestone in strengthening collective deterrence and shared commitment to regional peace and stability, Sharif said.

Pakistan will continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law, and peaceful settlement of disputes, he added.

On economic cooperation, Sharif recalled announcing the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi at the Pakistan-Türkiye Business Conference in Istanbul in July.

He invited Turkish investors to explore Pakistan's young population, strategic location, and growing opportunities, urging both sides to turn goodwill into joint ventures and jobs for young people.

The Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, said that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal both admired the Turkish struggle.

Türkiye and Pakistan are brothers by history, united by faith, and bound by shared sacrifices, Neziroglu added.

Background

Pakistan and Türkiye have a long-standing relationship based on shared cultural and historical ties.

The two countries have cooperated on various international platforms, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations.

Economic Cooperation

The economic ties between Pakistan and Türkiye have been growing steadily, with bilateral trade reaching $1 billion in recent years.

The two countries have identified areas of cooperation, including infrastructure development, energy, and defence production.