ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to arrive in Islamabad today (Wednesday) on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
He is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Yesterday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that President Erdogan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers and senior officials, as well as corporate leaders.
During the visit, premier Shehbaz Sharif and Erdogan will co-chair the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). After the Session, a joint declaration and a number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed. The two leaders will also address a joint press stakeout.
Erdogan will also meet President Asif Ali Zardari. He and Shehbaz will address the Pakistan-Turkiye Business and Investment Forum, gathering top investors and executives.
The HLSCC is the highest decision-making body for Pakistan-Turkiye ties. It guides cooperation in trade, investment, defence, energy, banking, IT, health, and education.
Trade and Investment Cooperation
Both countries aim to expand economic ties during the visit. Officials plan to increase bilateral trade from $1 billion to $5 billion. They are set to sign agreements on trade liberalization, investment, and removing non-tariff barriers.
Defence cooperation remains a key focus. Turkiye is Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, providing 11% of its total arms imports, according to a 2023 SIPRI report. Both nations collaborate on warships, aircraft upgrades, and drone technology.
Western arms embargoes have pushed them to develop local defence industries. Turkiye, now a major arms exporter, sees Pakistan as a strategic partner for co-production and technology transfer. Leaders will discuss joint military training and defence manufacturing projects.
Erdogan’s visit comes as Turkiye expands its regional influence, especially after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This shift opens new opportunities for Pakistan, including partnerships in Syria’s reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts.
Both nations support Muslim causes, including Palestine and Kashmir. Erdogan and Shehbaz will discuss the Gaza crisis, regional security, and joint efforts in global forums.
Pakistan and Turkiye plan to strengthen their Strategic Economic Framework (SEF). Talks will focus on digital trade, tariff concessions, and trade liberalization under the Trade in Goods Agreement (TGA).
The Foreign Office is finalising a roadmap to boost trade and investment. Officials may revise the 71-point SEF action plan to include IT collaboration and infrastructure development.
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As Turkiye expands its regional role, its partnership with Pakistan gains importance. Joint economic projects in Syria, deeper defence ties, and stronger diplomatic coordination highlight this growing alliance.
“The Turkish President’s visit and the HLSCC session will further strengthen our brotherly relations and expand cooperation,” the Foreign Office stated.
