Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Pakistan in February, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing fraternal relationship between the two nations. Amidst the shifting global power dynamics, the visit, which took place from February 12 to 13, 2025, was aimed at further deepening and diversifying the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan.
President Erdoğan’s visit was the final leg of his three-nation Asia tour, which included stops in Malaysia and Indonesia. Upon his arrival in Islamabad, he was accorded a grand welcome, with fighter jets from the Pakistan Air Force providing a salute and cultural performances lining the route to the Prime Minister’s House.
The historical connection between Türkiye and Pakistan dates to the Ottoman Empire. During World War I and the Turkish War of Independence, the people of the Indian subcontinent provided significant support to the Ottoman Turks, both morally and financially. This support forged a deep emotional and spiritual brotherhood that still endures today. Diplomatic ties between the two nations were formally established in 1947, following Pakistan’s emergence as an independent nation. Since then, the relationship has been characterised by mutual support and cooperation on various fronts.
A total of 24 cooperation agreements were signed across defence, energy, trade, agriculture, technology, and other key areas.
Over the years, Türkiye and Pakistan have consistently supported each other on key issues. Pakistan has stood by Türkiye on the Cyprus issue and against the Gülen movement, while Türkiye has firmly backed Pakistan’s stance on the disputed territory of Kashmir. This mutual support has been a cornerstone of their relationship and has further strengthened the bond between the two nations.
The main highlight of President Erdoğan’s visit was the seventh meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) co-chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdoğan. The HLSCC serves as the highest-level decision-making forum for bilateral relations, providing strategic direction for cooperation across various sectors. The meeting concluded with the signing of a joint declaration titled “Deepening, Diversifying, and Institutionalising the Strategic Partnership,” which reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to strengthening their relationship.
A total of 24 cooperation agreements were signed across defence, energy, trade, agriculture, technology, and other key areas. These agreements included cooperation on electronic warfare between the two countries’ air forces, training for military health care, and exchanging military and civilian personnel for social and cultural purposes. In the energy sector, deals were signed to amend cooperation on hydrocarbons and to explore energy transformation and mining. Additionally, agreements were reached on commodity trade, digitalisation of commerce-related paperwork, cooperation on water resources, textile technologies education, and the establishment of infrastructure for metrology.
The defence sector saw significant advancements, with the signing of memoranda of understanding between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Pakistan’s Naval Research and Development Institute (NRDI). This cooperation is expected to enhance the defence capabilities of both nations and tighter strategic alignment.
Pakistan has stood by Türkiye on the Cyprus issue and against the Gülen movement, while Türkiye has firmly backed Pakistan’s stance on the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Economically, the visit aimed to boost bilateral trade, with a target of achieving $5 billion in annual trade volume. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the potential for increased investment from Turkish businesses, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. The signing of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2022, which came into effect in May 2023, has laid the groundwork for stronger economic ties, offering preferential tariffs to make goods from both countries more competitive in each other’s markets. The establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Pakistan is also expected to attract Turkish investment and further enhance economic cooperation.
Culturally, the visit aimed to strengthen people-to-people connections through collaborative educational projects, student exchange programs, and cultural exhibitions. Initiatives like the “Turkish Cultural Season in Pakistan” and educational exchanges nurture camaraderie and appreciation for each other’s heritage. Both nations have also shown solidarity in times of crisis, with Türkiye providing assistance during natural disasters in Pakistan and vice versa.
Regionally, the visit highlighted the alignment of foreign policy objectives between Türkiye and Pakistan. Both nations have consistently supported each other on key issues. The discussions also touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for broader political coordination in international forums.
President Erdoğan’s visit to Pakistan is a significant step towards a new era of strategic partnership. It enhances bilateral cooperation in various sectors and marks a defining moment in the broader context of Türkiye’s global diplomatic ambitions. As both nations look to expand their Strategic Economic Framework, the visit is expected to facilitate negotiations on digital trade and trade liberalisation, further cementing their economic alliance.
In an era marked by a shifting global power dynamic and the emergence of a multipolar world, the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan holds profound significance. As traditional alliances evolve and new regional blocs take shape, the deepening cooperation between these two nations serves as a cornerstone for stability and progress in their respective regions. By strengthening bilateral ties through comprehensive agreements and collaborative initiatives, Türkiye and Pakistan are positioning themselves as key players in the evolving world order, where nations must forge new paths to ensure their collective security and economic prosperity.
