In February 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan embarked on a two-day visit to Pakistan, aiming to bolster the multifaceted relationship between the two nations. This visit underscored the deep-rooted historical ties and the shared vision for future collaboration in various sectors.
Arrival and Official Reception
President Erdoğan arrived in Islamabad on February 12, 2025, with a high-level delegation comprising key ministers, business leaders, and senior government officials. Upon landing, he was warmly received by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other senior officials. The reception included a 21-gun salute, a fighter jet flyby, and traditional performances, reflecting the profound respect and camaraderie between the two countries.
Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC)
A major highlight of the visit was the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), co-chaired by President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Sharif. The HLSCC serves as the highest institutional mechanism between the two countries to review and enhance bilateral relations.
During the session, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in political, economic, defense, cultural, and social sectors. This culminated in the signing of 24 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering a broad spectrum of areas.
Key Agreements and Declarations Signed
- Strategic and Defense Cooperation
- Both nations agreed to strengthen defense industry collaboration, including joint military training programs and defense production.
- An MoU was signed between the air forces of both countries on electronic warfare and technology exchange.
- Turkey reiterated its support for Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir at international forums.
- Trade and Economic Cooperation
- A joint declaration was issued to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2028.
- Turkey committed to boosting investments in Pakistan’s energy, infrastructure, and construction sectors.
- A Bilateral Trade and Investment Council was established to facilitate direct engagement between business communities of both nations.
- Agreements were reached on digitizing trade processes and removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance commerce.
- Energy and Industrial Collaboration
- Pakistan and Turkey agreed to collaborate on renewable energy projects, with Turkish firms investing in solar and wind power initiatives in Pakistan.
- Joint ventures in hydrocarbon exploration and mining were announced, allowing Turkish companies to participate in Pakistan’s natural resource sector.
- Cultural, Education, and Tourism Promotion
- MoUs were signed for student exchange programs between Pakistani and Turkish universities.
- Turkey pledged financial and technical assistance for the restoration of historical sites in Pakistan, strengthening cultural ties.
- A tourism cooperation initiative was launched to promote bilateral travel and ease visa restrictions for Pakistani and Turkish citizens.
- Health and Technology Cooperation
- A framework agreement was signed to enhance medical research collaboration between the two countries.
- Plans were finalized for joint digital technology initiatives, including cooperation in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence development.
Regional and International Issues
Besides bilateral matters, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Sharif held extensive discussions on global and regional developments.
- Palestine Crisis: Both leaders strongly condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, reiterating their support for Palestinian self-determination.
- Afghanistan Situation: They agreed on the need for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan and emphasized coordinated efforts in counterterrorism to prevent cross-border security threats.
- Islamophobia and Muslim Unity: The two leaders pledged to work closely within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address rising Islamophobia and enhance Muslim solidarity globally.
Cultural and Historical Bonds
During his address at a special session of the Pakistani Parliament, President Erdoğan referred to Pakistan as Turkey’s “brotherly nation” and emphasized the historical bond between the people of the two countries. He paid tribute to Pakistan’s founding leaders and acknowledged the significant support Pakistan provided to the Turkish independence movement.
In an effort to deepen cultural ties, a special Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Week was announced, aimed at fostering people-to-people connections through art, literature, and media collaboration.
Conclusion
President Erdoğan’s 2025 visit to Pakistan was a landmark moment in bilateral relations, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The agreements and declarations signed during this visit are expected to strengthen economic, defense, and cultural cooperation, paving the way for a long-term alliance.
With an ambitious roadmap set for trade expansion, energy collaboration, and strategic security ties, the visit has further cemented Turkey and Pakistan’s vision for mutual growth and regional stability in the years to come.
