Key Points
- PM Shehbaz, President Erdogan discuss expanding cooperation in energy, economy, defence and investment
- Pakistan seeks Turkish support in power-sector privatisation and timely implementation of recent MOUs
- Leaders review regional connectivity, Gaza situation and Afghanistan-related security concerns
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Turkiye across political, economic, energy, defence, and investment domains.
He expressed the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ashgabat on the sidelines of the International Year of Peace and Trust Forum.
The Prime Minister identified energy, petroleum and minerals as priority areas and welcomed Turkish investment interest, stressing the need for swift execution of recently concluded agreements. He also underscored Pakistan’s intent to draw on Turkish expertise in power-sector privatisation, for which ministerial-level engagements will be initiated shortly, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.
Both sides discussed advancing bilateral arrangements in energy, petroleum, mineral development, defence collaboration, investment facilitation, and economic cooperation. The two leaders also reviewed progress on regional connectivity initiatives, including the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul rail network.
PM @CMShehbaz expresses his firm resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with #Turkiye @PakPMO #PMShehbazInTurkmenistan #RadioPakistan #news @RTErdogan https://t.co/Srtacba6yK pic.twitter.com/0OLhtH84c1
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) December 12, 2025
PM Sharif highlighted the constructive role of Turkiye in facilitating talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime but stressed that peace would only be possible if Pakistan’s security concerns were fully addressed.
The Turkish President expressed his desire to work together with a view to building stronger ties between the two countries.
Views were also exchanged on global and regional developments, including Turkiye’s diplomatic efforts regarding Gaza.
Pakistan and Türkiye have strengthened their ties following Ankara’s public support for Islamabad during its four-day conflict with India in May.
Since then, the military forces of the two Muslim-majority countries have committed to enhancing cooperation in defense and trade amid ongoing regional tensions.
In July, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister Güler visited Pakistan for high-level talks with political and military leaders.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan described the visit as a clear indication of “deepening strategic ties” with Ankara, noting that discussions focused on regional stability, trade expansion, and defence modernisation.
