Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler arrived in Islamabad on an official visit, underscoring the deepening strategic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.
The high-level delegation was warmly received by Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Ali Gilani.
During the visit, the Turkish ministers held extensive meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The delegation is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as well as top civil and military leadership.
During their meeting, Dar stressed the close and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkiye and the importance of cooperation in trade, investment, and energy.
The Turkish ministers reiterated the strong desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan, as both sides discussed the upcoming meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission, which will be co-chaired by the Turkish defense minister and Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
The meeting is expected to take place in the coming weeks and will review progress under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) framework.
During Wednesday's meeting, the two parties also discussed regional and global developments and reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, security, and development in the region.
In a joint press conference with the Turkish foreign minister, who is also the co-chairman of the Joint Commission under the Strategic Cooperation Council framework, Dar lauded Türkiye’s rapid advancements in defense production, which has surged from 20% to 80% localization in recent years.
“We greatly appreciate Türkiye’s progress in defense manufacturing from 20% to 80% in the last few years, and are eager to benefit from its experience and expertise,” Dar said.
Foreign Minister Fidan conveyed a special message of congratulations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reaffirming Turkiye’s desire to enhance bilateral trade to $5 billion and deepen cooperation in the oil and gas sectors.
"The two countries have promoted cooperation in economic affairs, culture, and defense sectors," he added.
The discussions also touched on regional and global developments, with both nations expressing shared views on key international issues, including their continued support for the Palestinian cause. Ishaq Dar reiterated that Pakistan and Türkiye have stood shoulder-to-shoulder on global platforms, advocating for peace, security, and development.
Highlighting the high frequency of official engagements, Dar stated that the growing bilateral exchanges are a testament to the ever-strengthening friendship between the two countries over time. He said the two countries were cooperating through joint committees in various fields.
"Pakistan and Türkiye discussed various issues of mutual interest. High-level exchanges between the two counties are a manifestation of the strong relations," he stated.
As part of the defense cooperation agenda, the Turkish defense minister also visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where he met with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. The two sides discussed the regional situation, and cooperation in defense and military sectors, as well as avenues for joint defense initiatives.
Foreign Minister Fidan, speaking at the joint presser, praised Pakistan’s hospitality and said, “Türkiye and Pakistan have unique ties rooted in history, trust, and shared values. We are committed to carrying this legacy forward.”
A defense committee meeting between the two nations is scheduled for September, where further discussions on military and strategic collaboration are expected.
This visit by the Turkish foreign and defense ministers follows a recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdoğan, further cementing the strong diplomatic and strategic alliance between the two countries.
