In Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in high-level discussions centered on enhancing strategic cooperation in key areas such as trade, defense, energy, infrastructure, and regional security. The meeting took place at Vahdettin Palace, followed by delegation-level talks that included senior officials from both nations. The discussions aimed to strengthen bilateral trade, boost investment, and deepen defense industry collaboration, alongside improving digital connectivity and aligning on regional matters, particularly concerning the Middle East, Afghanistan, and counter-terrorism efforts.
The leaders underscored their dedication to broadening economic relations, with the current bilateral trade standing at approximately $1.2–1.35 billion. This figure is significantly lower than their long-term goal of reaching $5 billion. The talks also delved into potential avenues for increased Turkish investment in various Pakistani sectors, including energy, agriculture, transport, and technology.
Defense cooperation was a prominent topic on the agenda, covering aspects such as military equipment, joint training exercises, intelligence sharing, and future co-production initiatives. The discussions emphasized the importance of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which plays a pivotal role in advancing collaboration across multiple sectors.
The outcomes of the talks and any newly established agreements were anticipated to be announced by the two leaders during a joint press conference. The meeting between Erdoğan and Sharif highlighted the ongoing commitment of Turkey and Pakistan to bolster their strategic partnership and address common challenges in the region through enhanced cooperation.