Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to arrive in the federal capital on Wednesday for a two-day visit, during which he and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will co-chair the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) session. The session aims to strengthen bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
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The visit marks the final leg of President Erdogan’s overseas tour, which also included stops in Malaysia and Indonesia.
According to a Foreign Office statement, President Erdogan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, senior officials, and corporate leaders. The delegation will visit Pakistan from February 12 to 13. During the visit, PM Shehbaz and President Erdogan will co-chair the 7th session of the HLSCC, the highest decision-making forum between Pakistan and Turkiye, which provides strategic direction for strengthening bilateral relations. This session follows the previous one held in Islamabad on February 13-14, 2020.
PM Shehbaz, Erdogan to Co-Chair Strategic Council Session; Economic Cooperation Agreements Expected
The HLSCC operates through multiple Joint Standing Committees (JSCs) covering trade, investment, banking, finance, defense, energy, agriculture, IT, health, and education. During Mr. Erdogan’s visit, both countries are expected to finalize agreements to expand economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. Officials aim to boost bilateral trade from $1 billion to $5 billion, with new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) anticipated in trade liberalization, investment facilitation, and the removal of non-tariff barriers.
Defense Cooperation as a Key Pillar
Defense cooperation remains a key pillar of Pakistan-Turkiye relations. According to the 2023 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, Turkiye is Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, accounting for 11% of its total arms imports. The defense partnership has grown significantly, with joint projects such as the MILGEM warships, aircraft modernization, and drone acquisitions deepening military collaboration. High-level military engagements, joint training programs, and defense manufacturing agreements are expected to be key discussion points.
Expanding Regional Influence and Strategic Partnerships
Erdogan’s visit comes amid Turkiye’s expanding regional influence, particularly following the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This transformation presents new strategic and economic opportunities for Pakistan, including potential collaboration in Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts. Turkiye’s strong advocacy for Muslim causes, particularly on Palestine and Kashmir, aligns with Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives. The two leaders are expected to discuss regional security concerns, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and broader political coordination in international forums.
Strategic Economic Framework and Trade Liberalization
With both countries looking to expand their Strategic Economic Framework (SEF), the visit is expected to facilitate negotiations on digital trade and trade liberalization, and further tariff concessions under the Trade in Goods Agreement (TGA). The Foreign Office is finalizing a roadmap to enhance economic and trade cooperation, with potential expansions to the existing 71-point SEF action plan. Sources indicate that a revised framework may include investment, IT collaborations, and infrastructure development.
As Turkiye strengthens its regional foothold, its partnership with Pakistan takes on increased significance. Prospects for joint economic ventures in Syria, enhanced political coordination, and expanded defense collaboration highlight the deepening strategic ties. With Turkiye’s growing influence in the Middle East, Pakistan stands to gain from increased trade, investment, and diplomatic alignment with Ankara.
“The visit of the Turkish President and the holding of the 7th session of the HLSCC would serve to further deepen the brotherly relations and enhance multifaceted cooperation between the two countries,” the Foreign Office stated.
