Pakistan-Turkiye Relations: Shehbaz, Erdogan Reaffirm $5 Billion Trade Goal
The leaders pledge to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and defence, describing Pakistan and Turkiye as “two hearts with one soul” during talks in Istanbul.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an address a joint press conference in Istanbul.
Pakistan-Turkiye Relations entered a new phase on Saturday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and achieving a $5 billion annual trade target during high-level talks in Istanbul.
Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting at the Vahdettin Palace, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan and Turkiye shared an enduring friendship built on history, mutual trust and common values. He described the two countries as “two hearts with one soul” and said their economic partnership was poised for stronger growth.
The prime minister said the discussions covered trade, investment, industrial cooperation and practical measures to unlock the full potential of bilateral economic ties. He expressed confidence that the strong goodwill between both nations would help achieve the mutually agreed trade target.
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Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Turkiye on issues of national importance, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, while thanking Ankara for its consistent backing of Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
He also thanked President Erdo?an for Turkiye’s support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that contributed to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18 to end the United States-Iran conflict. The prime minister stressed that dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect remained the only sustainable path to resolving disputes and maintaining international peace.
Highlighting the historic relationship between the two countries, Shehbaz recalled the support Muslims of the subcontinent extended to Turkiye during its War of Independence and praised the Turkish people for standing with Pakistan during wars, natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
He also acknowledged President Erdo?an’s visit to Pakistan following the devastating floods and praised initiatives that led to the construction of hospitals, schools and model villages in Muzaffargarh, describing them as lasting symbols of brotherhood.
The prime minister commended Erdo?an’s leadership, saying Turkiye had achieved significant economic, technological and strategic progress over the past two decades while strengthening its regional and international standing.
President Erdo?an reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and confirmed that both countries had renewed their goal of increasing annual trade to $5 billion.
He said officials were working on establishing a special economic zone in Karachi for Turkish businesses and expanding the scope of the existing preferential trade agreement. Erdo?an also encouraged Turkish investors to increase investment in Pakistan.
The Turkish president described defence cooperation as a cornerstone of bilateral relations and said collaboration in the sector continued to grow through new projects. He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in energy, transportation, critical minerals and information technology.
During the talks, Erdo?an praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, saying the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had contributed to easing regional tensions. He reiterated Turkiye’s support for diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts and emphasised the importance of lasting peace through cooperation among regional countries.
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The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their support for each other’s core national interests. Looking ahead, both sides expressed optimism that the upcoming eighth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council later this year would further strengthen the longstanding partnership.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also invited President Erdo?an to visit Pakistan as both countries pledged to translate their commitments into greater trade, stronger investment and deeper strategic cooperation.
