Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to stand by each other through all challenges and pledged to enhance their bilateral trade volume to $5 billion. This declaration was made during a joint press conference in Istanbul, following discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on bilateral relations and broader regional issues.
President Erdogan welcomed PM Shehbaz and his delegation, noting that their talks encompassed both bilateral ties and regional as well as global affairs. He expressed satisfaction with the progress in relations between the two countries and emphasized the significance of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding recently signed between the US and Iran for global peace. Erdogan praised Pakistan’s efforts toward peace, prosperity, and economic development.
Highlighting economic cooperation, Erdogan mentioned that his discussions with PM Shehbaz focused on expanding trade, investment, and economic collaboration. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality, underscoring the deep and enduring bond shared by Pakistan and Turkiye. He recalled Turkiye’s consistent support for Pakistan during times of war and natural disasters.
The prime minister also highlighted his engagement with Turkish business leaders at the Business Forum, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to reach the $5 billion bilateral trade goal. Prior to meeting President Erdogan, PM Shehbaz addressed the Pakistan-Turkiye B2B Conference in Istanbul, where he spoke about historic ties, economic cooperation opportunities, and diplomatic efforts on key regional and global matters.
He described Turkiye as a strong and sincere ally of Pakistan, with a relationship rooted in history dating back to the Khilafat Movement. PM Shehbaz recalled how the Ali Brothers and Muslims of the subcontinent supported Turkiye’s struggle for independence. He also noted Turkiye’s unwavering support during Pakistan’s difficult moments and credited President Erdogan’s backing for enabling Islamabad to mediate in the US-Iran conflict. The prime minister acknowledged the complexity of this diplomatic mission but welcomed the ceasefire achieved, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on this peace opportunity.
PM Shehbaz further stressed the value of leveraging Turkish expertise in reforms such as the privatisation of power distribution companies and enhancement of the transmission system. Reflecting on Pakistan’s armed conflict with India in May last year, he recognized the support extended by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and other friendly nations during that period.
During the joint press briefing, President Erdogan remarked that peace efforts in the Middle East require regional support and warned against allowing Israel to undermine the US-Iran peace agreement. He stated that no lasting solution can be achieved without the will and contributions of regional countries. Erdogan criticized the current Israeli government, describing it as war-driven, and cautioned against letting it plunge the region into further violence.
Looking ahead, Erdogan outlined Ankara’s intention to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in sectors including energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology, and defence. He reiterated the shared ambition to elevate bilateral trade to $5 billion, signaling a strengthened partnership between the two nations.
