Islamabad: In a move to further strengthen bilateral relations, Pakistan and Turkiye signed multiple agreements, memorandums of understanding (MoUs), and protocols on Thursday across various sectors.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan—witnessed the exchange of these agreements.
Addressing a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, PM Shehbaz welcomed President Erdogan to Pakistan and expressed optimism that the visit would yield positive results for both nations.
He highlighted the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, emphasizing that the relationship spans centuries.
Shehbaz Sharif praised Turkiye’s support during Pakistan’s devastating floods, recalling President Erdogan’s personal visit to the affected areas.
He stressed that bilateral relations continue to strengthen and that new opportunities for collaboration are being explored.
On global issues, PM Shehbaz acknowledged Turkiye’s unwavering support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and reassured that Pakistan would continue to back Turkiye on Cyprus.
President Erdogan, in return, expressed his delight at visiting Pakistan and called it his “second home.” He referred to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal as shared heroes of both nations.
He announced that 24 agreements had been signed between Pakistan and Turkiye, covering a wide range of sectors including defense, trade, energy, education, health, and media.
Erdogan also discussed trade expansion, aiming for a $5 billion trade volume between the two countries, while encouraging Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan.
He recognized Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and assured Turkiye’s continued support in this battle.
Key Agreements Signed:
- Defense cooperation and joint production agreements
- MoUs for trade and economic collaboration
- Cooperation in health, education, and scientific research
- Agreements to strengthen media and cultural ties
- Cooperation in water, energy, and agriculture sectors
These agreements mark a significant step toward deepening the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye.
