ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 (Alliance News): Pakistan and Turkiye on Wednesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple domains, aiming to enhance bilateral trade to $5 billion while deepening ties in defence, trade, energy, education, culture, and infrastructure.
The announcement came during a joint press stakeout by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who met in Islamabad to review the progress of bilateral engagements under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).
Deputy PM Dar highlighted the momentum gained by the 12 Joint Standing Committees under the HLSCC framework, stating that all have either convened or are scheduled to meet soon. He also noted that a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), co-chaired by Turkiye’s Defence Minister Yasar Güler and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, is expected shortly to further reinforce economic collaboration.
Dar praised Turkiye’s successful indigenization of its defence industry and expressed Pakistan’s interest in learning from its model. He revealed that Pakistan is pursuing the creation of a Special Economic Zone in Karachi for Turkish companies and is actively working to revive the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad rail corridor, with upcoming delegations finalizing a roadmap.
Several key Turkish-led projects are under consideration in Pakistan, including the Jinnah Medical Complex, Danish University, and participation in power distribution privatization and offshore drilling. A site has also been allocated in Muzaffarabad for a Maarif school.
Dar also highlighted initiatives in capacity-building for counter-terrorism and maritime cooperation, adding that these steps were paving the way for the 8th HLSCC to be hosted in Turkiye next year.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described Pakistan as a close and trusted partner and emphasized the growing strength of bilateral relations. “We are targeting $5 billion in bilateral trade and expanding cooperation in energy, mining, education, and transport,” he said.
He underlined the need to enhance air, sea, land, and rail connectivity, adding that technical work is already underway in these areas.
On regional issues, Fidan commended Pakistan’s measured response during recent tensions with India and reiterated Turkiye’s consistent support for peace and diplomacy. He also condemned Israeli attacks in Gaza and Iran as violations of international law and reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to humanitarian support and advocating for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
