Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to strengthen cooperation on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine production, alongside work on agriculture, livestock, human resource development and value-added food exports. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu in Islamabad on November 4, 2026, to discuss concrete measures.
The meeting focused on capacity building and technical training. Livestock development and domestic FMD vaccine production were named as major priorities, and the minister said the Prime Minister had decided to seek Turkish technical support for building Pakistan’s indigenous vaccine capacity.
Turkish technical support and disease-free zones
The ambassador said his country was willing to extend technical cooperation and confirmed that a Turkish technical delegation would visit Pakistan to explore collaboration. The proposal is also linked to Pakistan’s plan to establish disease-free zones and gain better access to international meat markets, particularly Türkiye.
Both sides recognised that stronger animal health standards and domestic vaccine production would help expand Pakistan’s livestock and meat export potential.
Training plan for 100 trainees in Türkiye
Pakistan told the Turkish side it plans to send an initial group of around 30 participants under a proposed training programme for 100 trainees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has identified possible Turkish institutions, while coordination with the Higher Education Commission is under way to finalise universities, priority disciplines and training arrangements.
The ambassador offered to facilitate direct links with Turkish universities, particularly those specialising in agriculture. The sides also discussed recent exchanges between Pakistani and Turkish livestock experts, including a Pakistani delegation’s visit to study Türkiye’s livestock sector, and that delegation is preparing a report on practical areas for adopting Turkish expertise.
Olive oil facility and value-added food cooperation
The meeting reviewed earlier Turkish support through TIKA for an olive oil production facility in Muzaffarabad, which has reportedly benefited around 5,000 farmers. Pakistan expressed interest in expanding similar initiatives to olive-producing areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chakwal and Attock, with a focus on processing, value addition and market access.
Both sides stressed the need to move towards implementation through technical teams, institutional cooperation and targeted joint initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to deeper agricultural and livestock ties.
