Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their strong commitment to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced this goal during a joint press conference in Istanbul on Saturday.
The two leaders discussed ways to increase trade and investment, especially in special economic zones. They also agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology, and defence sectors. Work is already underway on a special economic zone for Turkish businesses in Karachi and expanding the preferential trade agreement.
PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Turkiye’s progress under President Erdogan. He highlighted the deep brotherly ties between the two nations, based on shared faith, history, and mutual support during difficult times like floods and earthquakes. President Erdogan also expressed strong support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and thanked Pakistan for its role in regional peace efforts.
A business forum in Istanbul brought together officials and businessmen from both countries. Turkish firms showed interest in investing in Pakistan’s energy and other sectors. The leaders believe these steps will open new opportunities for economic growth.
This $5 billion target reflects the strong political will to transform the longstanding friendship into deeper economic partnership. With continued efforts in trade, investment, and technology, both countries aim to achieve significant progress in the coming years.