Building on the momentum of the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women, held in Islamabad on July 12–13, Pakistan and Turkiye have reached a landmark agreement to deepen bilateral cooperation in social protection, family welfare, and poverty alleviation.
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Syed Imran Ahmad Shah met with Turkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, on the sidelines of the conference to outline a collaborative roadmap. Both leaders underscored the historical ties between their nations, noting that the alliance is anchored in mutual trust and a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable populations during challenging times.
Pakistan and Turkiye signed an MoU to advance joint projects relating to family and social security services, Pakistan’s information ministry said on Sunday. https://t.co/0RL0v0NrHY
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) July 12, 2026
Shared Models and Digital Transformation
Minister Shah provided an overview of Pakistan’s evolving social protection framework, spotlighting flagship institutions such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund. He emphasized Pakistan’s ambition to modernize these systems by learning from Turkiye’s expertise, specifically in:
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Digital Social Protection Systems: Adopting advanced technological platforms to improve delivery and targeting of aid.
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Family-Centric Welfare Models: Integrating holistic support systems that stabilize the family unit as the core of social policy.
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Inclusive Programs: Expanding specialized initiatives that promote the socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Minister Göktaş expressed strong appreciation for Pakistan’s initiatives, particularly the Benazir Income Support Programme, which she noted has been instrumental in supporting deserving families and fostering the economic empowerment of women—a key theme of the recent OIC ministerial conference.
Expediting the Institutional Framework
To move beyond informal collaboration, the two ministers agreed to fast-track the finalization of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement will serve as the governing framework for:
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Expanding technical cooperation in community development.
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Building institutional capacity through staff training and expert workshops.
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Formalizing the exchange of best practices in social welfare policy.
The ministers also celebrated the success of existing grassroots collaborations, such as the Ramadan Food Programme and the Centralised Kitchen Project, which are currently being implemented through the partnership between Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
The meeting, which was also attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, concluded with an exchange of traditional gifts. Minister Shah presented the Turkish delegation with a traditional Pakistani dupatta and a commemorative ministerial shield, while Minister Göktaş offered a souvenir on behalf of the Turkish government, signaling a reaffirmed commitment to the growing partnership between the two nations.
