Pakistan, Turkiye pledge to boost trade to $5bn

February 13, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic and strategic ties, agreeing to continue efforts to achieve a trade volume of five billion dollars.

The decision was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council session in Islamabad.

Addressing a press stakeout, President Erdogan emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of the current goods trade agreement as a first step.

He highlighted Turkiye’s commitment to encouraging its investors to take part in flagship projects in Pakistan, further enhancing trade and investment relations, as per the press release issued today.

He also noted the exponential growth of military dialogue and defense industry cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their determination to advance joint projects in procurement, sales, and manufacturing.

Referring to the twenty-four agreements signed between the two nations, President Erdogan expressed confidence that these accords would bring significant benefits to both countries and the wider region.

He also acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism and reaffirmed Turkiye’s unconditional support for Pakistan in its fight against all forms of extremism.

On the Kashmir issue, President Erdogan reiterated Turkiye’s unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people, supporting a resolution based on UN resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiris.

He also praised Pakistan’s steadfast stance on Palestine, reaffirming that both nations would continue to work towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Turkiye’s consistent support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm backing for the cause of Northern Cyprus.

He recalled how Turkiye has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times, including during natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, and lauded the spirit of compassion and generosity that defines their enduring partnership.

The Prime Minister emphasized that discussions between the two sides covered a wide range of areas, from trade and investment to strategic and defense cooperation.

He highlighted the significance of agreements and MoUs signed, including the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by Turkish firms for industrial production.

He assured that he would work closely with President Erdogan to turn these agreements into tangible actions.

Following the meetings, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted a luncheon in honor of President Erdogan and his delegation, marking a significant step toward further solidifying the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.

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