ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to deepen their bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including defence, trade, energy, culture, education, and infrastructure, and enhance the bilateral trade volume to $5 billion.
The renewal of this resolve came during the separate meetings of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister for National Defence Yasar Güler with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar here, reports APP.
Welcoming the delegation, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Türkiye in diverse fields, including trade, investment, technology, and defence.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik and senior officials attended the meeting, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Welcoming the convening of the Joint Commission’s meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the prime minister expressed the hope that the relations between the two countries would attain further momentum, leading to the bolstering of cooperation in multifaceted areas.
He once again expressed his deepest gratitude to the Turkish nation and leadership for their steadfast support to Pakistan during the recent Indian aggression.
Mariana Baabar adds: Pakistan and Turkiye will further strengthen their defence cooperation in the coming days, with the latter affirming that it was an important ‘strategic step’ in the face of security of the two allies and this included support to each other in countering terrorism.
“We are actively engaged in different activities, including capacity building and counterterrorism,” said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Güler at the Foreign Office after delegation level talks. Capacity building in counter-terrorism is also on the agenda.
“These initiatives are seen as laying the groundwork for the 8th HLSCC to be held in Turkiye next year,” added Dar.
Commenting on Turkiye’s indigenisation of the defence industry from 20 percent to 80pc in the last few years, Dar remarked, “We would like to benefit from Turkiye’s experience and expertise.”
The Turkish foreign minister, who together with the defence minister departed from Islamabad earlier in the evening, remarked that the defence cooperation will be further strengthened in the coming days.
Commenting on the recent Pak-India conflict, which saw massive diplomatic support from Ankara, Hakan Fidan said, “Turkiye was appreciative of Pakistan’s wisdom-oriented attitude. All international societies have seen the wisdom and calm attitude of Pakistan during the tension. There was exceptional performance from the PAF.”
Earlier Dar and Fidan co-chaired the first meeting of a joint commission established in February during President Erdogan’s visit.
Dar expressed satisfaction over the progress of all 12 Joint Standing Committees (JSCs) working under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) framework, saying they have “either already met or are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks,” said the Foreign Office.
Of great importance in the regional context is Pakistan’s announcement for the revival of Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad train, where delegations from all sides are meeting in the coming weeks to finalise the roadmap for revival.
Pakistan and Turkiye also pledged to increase bilateral cooperation in various key sectors — including defence, trade, energy, culture, education, and infrastructure — aiming to enhance the trade volume to $5 billion.
Recalling the last session of the HLSCC held in Islamabad in February this year, Dar said both sides had agreed to establish a joint commission to review the progress of the 12 Joint Standing Committees.
The JMC will be co-chaired by the Minister of National Defence of Turkiye Yasar Güler, and Minister of Commerce of Pakistan Jam Kamal Khan. “This important platform is expected to further bolster economic cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
He said the Pakistani side was pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Karachi dedicated to Turkish enterprises, while efforts were underway to revive the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad rail corridor. “Our delegations are meeting in the coming weeks to finalise a roadmap in this regard.”
He added that several major projects involving Turkish firms were being considered, including the Jinnah Medical Complex, Danish University, offshore drilling operations, and participation in the privatisation of power distribution companies.
Pakistan is also working to benefit from Turkish expertise in ship-breaking and water management, he added. “We are aiming to increase our commercial relations up to $5 billion by enhancing cooperation in diverse areas including energy, mining, education and transportation,” he added.
He also stressed the need to further strengthen air, sea, land, and railway connections between the two countries, saying that technical activities in this regard were ongoing.
Dar further said Pakistan had allocated land for the construction of a Maarif School in Muzaffarabad, referring to the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which Fidan said has more than 80 schools in Pakistan. “A Maarif Foundation delegation is visiting Muzaffarabad today and visiting the site for evaluation,” he said.
Muhammad Anis adds: Turkish Defence Minister Ya ar Güler Wednesday called on Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters here at the head of a high-level delegation. The meeting discussed the evolving regional security dynamics, progress in ongoing defence cooperation and prospects for future collaboration in the emerging domains of warfare.
The Turkish minister of defence lauded the PAF’s exceptional performance under the insightful leadership of air chief in the recent conflict with India, commending its operational preparedness and resolute defence of national sovereignty.
Both dignitaries concurred on finalizing the modalities for enhanced training collaboration and reaffirmed their strong commitment to expanding the scale and scope of joint bilateral and multilateral air exercises.
The visit of Turkish minister of defence to the Air Headquarters, Islamabad reflects the shared commitment of both the brotherly nations to enhance strategic cooperation, solidify defence ties and promote lasting institutional linkages between their armed forces, said the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.
