PM Shehbaz meets Turkish delegation, aims for $5bn bilateral trade target

(Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, emphasizing efforts to achieve the target of $5 billion in bilateral trade.

According to a press release issued by the Information Department, the meeting took place in Islamabad, with the Prime Minister accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, National Security Advisor Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik, and other senior officials.

The statement said that the Prime Minister welcomed the Turkish delegation and highlighted the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkey, based on shared history, culture, and mutual respect.

He expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral relations and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening cooperation with Turkey in various sectors including trade, investment, technology, and defense.

Recalling his recent contacts with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including their meeting during the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed a firm resolve to transform Pakistan-Turkey relations into a strategic partnership in the coming days.

He welcomed the holding of the Joint Commission meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, expressing hope that bilateral relations between the two countries will gain further momentum, promoting cooperation across various sectors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the commitment of both countries to continue strong and unwavering support for each other’s core interests and emphasized the need for close coordination between the two sides amid rapidly changing regional and global dynamics, especially concerning the situations in Gaza and Iran.

He also sincerely thanked the Turkish nation and leadership for their strong support for Pakistan during recent Indian aggression.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for joint efforts to increase trade between the two countries and achieve the mutually agreed target of $5 billion.

Highlighting Pakistan’s investor-friendly policies, he invited Turkish companies to expand their investment footprint in Pakistan and urged Turkey to contribute its expertise in Pakistan’s structural reforms, economic growth, and development efforts.