Turkish foreign and defence ministers to visit Pakistan to bolster strategic ties
A high-level Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler will arrive in Pakistan on July 9. The visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and deepen cooperation on regional peace and security.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish ministers will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Türkiye and Pakistan have long enjoyed close ties, collaborating extensively in areas such as trade, defence, and security. This upcoming visit is expected to further enhance cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and addressing shared security concerns.
Both nations have consistently supported each other on regional and international issues. They share common positions on challenges facing the Muslim world, notably the Palestinian cause, and view instability in Afghanistan as a direct threat to broader regional stability.
During their meetings, the Turkish and Pakistani leadership are set to assess the outcomes of the last High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) session held in Islamabad in February 2025, and discuss preparations for the next round scheduled for Türkiye in 2026.
Defence collaboration will also be high on the agenda. Türkiye has become Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, meeting 11% of Islamabad’s defence needs in 2023, valued at around $21 million.
Economic relations between the two countries continue to grow, with bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2024. Turkish exports accounted for $918 million, while imports from Pakistan stood at $440 million. Turkish investments in Pakistan have crossed the $2 billion mark, and Turkish firms have undertaken 72 projects worth approximately $3.5 billion.
Recent initiatives are opening new avenues of partnership, including energy and mineral exploration. In April 2025, Turkish Petroleum Corporation signed a Joint Bidding Agreement with Pakistan’s three national oil companies to jointly pursue oil and gas exploration projects.
Foreign Minister Fidan last visited Pakistan in May 2024 and met Foreign Minister Dar again in June at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers gathering in Istanbul. These frequent engagements highlight the steady momentum in bilateral ties.
