Shehbaz Hails Pakistan Turkiye Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan and Turkiye have turned their friendship into a multifaceted strategic partnership. He urged Turkish businesses to match the political bond with trade and investment. He spoke at a dinner at the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Islamabad to mark Turkiye’s 103rd Republic Day. The Pakistan Turkiye strategic partnership, he said, now spans political dialogue, trade and investment, defence, education, culture and people-to-people ties.
Turkiye stood by Pakistan during Marka-e-Haq
Shehbaz thanked Turkiye for standing firmly beside Pakistan during Marka-e-Haq in May 2025, when Pakistan faced Indian aggression. “Last year, during Marka-e-Haq, when Pakistan faced flagrant aggression from India and our sovereignty was put to a great test, Turkiye stood firmly by our side with unwavering commitment and dedication,” he said. He described the two countries as “two bodies with one soul”.
What the Pakistan Turkiye strategic partnership covers
The prime minister said the economic relationship must now rise to the level of the political and strategic bond. “Our economic partnership must now match the height of our political and strategic bond,” he said. He invited Turkish business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. He pointed to a young population, a strategic location and growing economic opportunities. “Let us translate the goodwill between our two peoples into joint ventures, shared prosperity and meaningful jobs for our young people,” he added. He also praised Turkiye’s leading role in defence technologies and other fields.
The Makkah agreement and collective defence
Shehbaz described the Makkah agreement as an important milestone between the two countries. It was signed on August 7 by Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said it “strengthened collective deterrence” and reaffirmed a shared commitment to regional peace and stability. “While we strengthen our defences, we continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” he said. The emphasis on dialogue follows Pakistan’s recent regional diplomacy, including a Tehran security dialogue. It also echoes the backing for the Makkah pact voiced when Dar met the Makkah alliance chief.
A friendship older than Pakistan
The prime minister said the bond predates Pakistan’s creation. During the Khilafat Movement, people across the subcontinent raised funds for the Turkish cause, and women donated their jewellery. Turkiye later stood by Pakistan after devastating earthquakes and floods. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited flood-affected areas, and First Lady Emine Erdogan donated her necklace to help flood victims. Citizens in Ankara, Istanbul and Anatolia also contributed to relief efforts. Shehbaz congratulated Erdogan, his government and the Turkish people, and recalled that the republic was founded under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
What it means for Pakistan
For Pakistan, the immediate prize is investment. At the Pakistan-Turkiye Business Conference in Istanbul in July, Shehbaz proposed a President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi. The zone is meant to encourage Turkish investment. A zone in Pakistan’s largest city and main port would give Turkish firms a direct base. It would also support the government’s wider push for export-led growth. Pakistan made a similar investment pitch to Saudi Arabia, seeking more Saudi investment in key sectors. At home, investor sentiment has firmed, with the benchmark index gaining for a fourth straight session.
The envoy looks to a lasting partnership
Turkish Ambassador Dr Irfan Neziroglu said the two nations had stood together throughout history. According to Neziroglu, Turkiye felt Pakistan’s pain whenever the country faced hardship. He said the goal was to turn the historic relationship into a sustainable strategic partnership. He also read out a special message from President Erdogan. The evening closed with the national anthems of both countries, a joint cake-cutting ceremony and a musical programme. The dinner came a day before Singapore’s foreign minister visits Pakistan on Friday for bilateral talks. That visit keeps Islamabad’s diplomatic calendar busy.
What happens next
Trade and investment will test the words spoken at the dinner. The Karachi zone proposal and the call for joint ventures give the partnership a concrete next step. Turkish business leaders now have a direct invitation to explore opportunities in Pakistan. If those visits turn into signed projects, the economic leg will start to match the political bond Shehbaz described.
