Pakistan and Türkiye today signed a landmark protocol aimed at significantly bolstering bilateral cooperation, transforming their historic ties into tangible economic and strategic outcomes. The signing took place during a pivotal Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting in Islamabad, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence, Yaşar Güler. The protocol outlines a comprehensive roadmap for joint initiatives across a wide array of sectors, from defence and trade to technology and energy.
Strengthening Economic, and Strategic Partnership
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to elevating bilateral trade, with a shared goal of reaching $5 billion in trade volume. Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted that the newly signed protocol serves as a crucial guide for achieving this ambitious target, emphasizing the acceleration of the Pakistan-Türkiye Trade in Goods Agreement. A key facilitator in this effort will be Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which will provide comprehensive support and investment opportunities for Turkish investors, particularly within Special Economic Zones.
Pivotal Cooperation in Key Sectors
The JMC meeting yielded concrete agreements across several strategic areas:
- Energy: Both countries agreed to undertake joint projects in solar, wind, and hydropower. Discussions also focused on enhanced collaboration in oil and gas exploration, LNG trade, and partnerships in grid modernization and energy-efficiency initiatives.
- Defence: The cornerstone of Pakistan-Türkiye relations, defence collaboration, was a major focus. The protocol includes joint initiatives in defence production and technology transfer, as well as the establishment of joint training programs for the armed forces of both nations.
- Agriculture: To enhance food security and sustainability, the two nations will cooperate on seed technology, food processing, and livestock development.
- Technology & Innovation: A highlight of the agreement is the establishment of the Pakistan-Türkiye Textile Technology Center in Faisalabad. The nations also committed to deepening cooperation in the digital economy, including e-commerce, fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
- Tourism & Health: A new bridge for health tourism will be created through the “Heal in Türkiye” initiative, which was noted as an area with immense potential for bilateral collaboration.
- Education: Both sides declared education and research as priority areas and expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s scholarship programs for Pakistani students, with a view to expanding such initiatives.
Unlocking New Avenues of Collaboration
The discussions also extended to vital sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices. Furthermore, agreements were reached on strengthening partnerships in transport, logistics, and maritime connectivity, with a specific focus on expanding aviation cooperation. The proposal to facilitate skilled Pakistani workers in Türkiye was also taken under consideration, paving the way for enhanced labor mobility.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan concluded by stating that the current volume of bilateral trade falls short of its true potential, but that the signed protocol provides a clear path forward. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for Turkish investors, saying, “Together, we can unlock new avenues of trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.”
The meeting concluded with a powerful reaffirmation of both countries’ strong and unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom.
You May Like To Read:
