ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday morning, where he received a warm and heartfelt welcome from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The First Lady of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, accompanied the president. The couple was greeted with sincerity, reflecting the longstanding friendship and deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Official Welcome Ceremony
The visit began with an official ceremony, where the national anthems of both countries were played. A ceremonial guard of honor was presented by a vibrant military contingent, and Pakistan Air Force aircraft paid tribute to the distinguished guest with a special aerial salute.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Erdoğan personally, shaking hands and introducing him to members of the federal cabinet. During his visit, President Erdoğan also had a cordial meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir.
In a symbolic gesture of friendship, President Erdoğan planted a sapling within the premises of the Prime Minister’s House.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
A highlight of the visit was the signing of 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse sectors, including trade, media, defense, and healthcare. These agreements are expected to enhance economic cooperation, investment, and technological exchange between Pakistan and Türkiye. A declaration was also signed to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations.
One notable MoU focused on the exchange of military and civilian personnel on a socio-cultural basis, further reinforcing cooperation.
Trade and Investment Discussions
Officials highlighted that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Türkiye stood at $543.4 million in 2023-24, a decline from $640 million in 2018 and $620 million in 2019, mainly due to banking and shipping sector challenges. In a separate high-level meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat discussed strategies to enhance trade and investment.
Jam Kamal referred to Türkiye as Pakistan’s “second home,” emphasizing the deep bond between the two nations. Minister Bolat praised the close relationship between President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz, calling it a key driver for economic collaboration.
Initiatives to Boost Trade
The discussions explored various initiatives to strengthen economic ties:
- Türkiye pledged to increase imports of Pakistani Basmati rice.
- A proposal for a “Made in Pakistan” expo in Türkiye was floated to showcase Pakistani products.
- Pakistan invited Türkiye to participate in the upcoming Healthcare and Industrial Expo in April.
- The FoodTech Expo in Lahore, scheduled for February 26-28, was identified as a key platform to strengthen trade relations.
Efforts to make the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) more effective and revive the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement to promote regional economic integration were also discussed.
Defense and Industrial Cooperation
Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to deepen defense collaboration, focusing on joint production and technology exchange. Turkish companies have expressed interest in increasing investments in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing, and media.
Turkish Minister Bolat shared that Türkiye’s fashion and furniture exhibitions in Istanbul are gradually replacing European markets, opening new export opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
President Erdoğan’s visit underscores the strong partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye, with a shared commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, defense, and cultural exchange.
