Pakistan and Turkey have been close friends for decades, and they have shared successful diplomatic ties. The recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is bearing fruit. They have shared ideas, signed MOUs, and applauded achievements of the preceding years. The recent developments in the Pakistan-Turkey relations are significant for the trade and economy of the former. They vowed to soar up bilateral diplomatic and friendly ties.
The Pak-Turk link has always been near to their people’s hearts, and it is becoming stronger as diplomatic and conventional ties strengthen. Their connection is firmly anchored in history and woven into the fabric of their civilization. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently visited Turkey for three days official visit from 31st May to 2nd June. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to take bilateral ties to the new heights. Pakistan and Turkey have had strong relations for decades. This year the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
PM Shehbaz Sharif has invited President Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan and it is expected to bilaterally hold a 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Islamabad in September 2022 which will further foster the brotherly ties. The meeting of PM Shehbaz Sharif with President Tayyip Erdogan was productive and we can hope that the bilateral diplomatic ties would go to new heights under the leadership of the latter.
Turkey is well progressed in the field of renewable energy and hydropower generation and can provide Pakistan with low-cost energy. On 20th May 2022, the MILGEM-class ship PNS Badar was launched in Karachi which Pakistan and Turkey jointly constructed. It was a significant example of the two allies’ cooperation in thedefense sector.
Pakistan appreciated the Turkish government’s support over the Kashmir issue and supports Turkey over Northern Cyprus and in eliminating terrorism. Besides, the two friendly countries also worked for their shared goals to make Afghanistan a peaceful and stable state, they even hosted the world’s largest refugees despite their scarce resources.
In a recent meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed regional and international issues. It is evident that the mutual trade between the two states raised to over $1 billion and they are aiming to make it soar to $5 billion annually. They have been working in other sectors such as logistics, education, tourism, and civil aviation to enhance cooperation.
Pakistan and Turkey on Wednesday signed various bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for enhanced cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest, including trade, economy, communication, environment, and housing. The premier invited Turkish investors to invest in the fields of the automobile industry, alternative energy, and agriculture. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other members of the Pakistani delegation were present for the meeting.
