Islamabad, April 22, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for a two-day official visit to Turkiye on Tuesday, following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit aims to deepen strategic ties and enhance cooperation across multiple sectors between the two nations.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, a high-level delegation is accompanying the premier. It includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi.
During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif will hold bilateral talks with President Erdogan to review ongoing cooperation and discuss regional and global developments of mutual interest.
“As long-standing allies and strategic partners, Pakistan and Turkiye maintain a tradition of regular high-level exchanges, reflecting the exceptional bonds of brotherhood between the two nations,” the PM Office stated. “This visit underscores the shared commitment to further elevate the multifaceted partnership.”
The visit follows President Erdogan’s trip to Islamabad in February, during which he co-chaired the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). That meeting resulted in the signing of 24 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering trade, defence, investment, and technology cooperation.
Key outcomes from the February session included plans to expand the Trade in Goods Agreement (TGA), boost bilateral trade to $5 billion, and operationalise the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul trade corridor. Both sides also pledged closer collaboration in energy, finance, and digital trade.
“Together with Prime Minister Sharif, we reaffirmed our goal of reaching $5 billion in bilateral trade,” President Erdogan had stated. “As a first step, we are broadening the scope of our existing trade agreement.”
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkiye surged to a record $1.4 billion in 2024, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. Both leaders expressed optimism about building on this momentum, with Erdogan encouraging Turkish investors to actively explore opportunities in Pakistan’s growing economy.
