February 11, 2025 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be arriving in Pakistan on February 12 for a significant visit, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The high-profile visit, which underscores the strengthening of ties between the two nations, will see President Erdogan accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key ministers, senior officials, and corporate leaders.
A major highlight of the visit will be the co-chairing of the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), which is the highest-level decision-making body focused on furthering the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Turkey. The session aims to provide strategic guidance on enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
At the conclusion of the HLSCC session, a Joint Declaration is expected to be signed, along with several significant agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements are anticipated to cover a range of areas, marking a new chapter in Pakistan-Turkey relations. The two leaders are also scheduled to hold a joint press stakeout, offering a platform for further exchange on the progress of bilateral cooperation.
The HLSCC has been instrumental in defining the strategic direction of bilateral relations and is responsible for overseeing several Joint Standing Committees (JSCs). These committees address key sectors such as trade, investment, banking, finance, culture, tourism, energy, defence, agriculture, transport, communication, IT, health, science and technology, and education. Six successful sessions of the HLSCC have already taken place, with the last session held in Islamabad in February 2020.
In addition to the formal meetings under the HLSCC, President Erdogan’s visit will also include bilateral talks with both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. These meetings are expected to explore new avenues for collaboration and discuss issues of mutual interest.
A key aspect of the visit will be President Erdogan’s participation in the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, where he will address participants alongside Prime Minister Sharif. The forum aims to foster closer economic ties and open new channels for trade and investment between the two countries.
One of the major anticipated outcomes of the visit is the initiation of negotiations to expand the existing Trade in Goods Agreement between Pakistan and Turkey. These discussions will focus on incorporating investment and digital trade, removing non-tariff barriers, and offering further tariff concessions. The goal is to enhance bilateral trade beyond its current stagnant level of approximately $1.3 billion and set a target of $5 billion. This initiative is seen as a key step in creating a win-win scenario for both countries, as improved trade relations could unlock new opportunities for economic growth.
President Erdogan’s visit is expected to be a crucial step toward revitalizing and deepening the economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey. Officials from both sides are optimistic that the expanded agreements will lead to tangible outcomes in terms of trade volume and mutual economic benefits.
Meanwhile, President Zardari and President Erdogan also engaged in discussions regarding their countries’ relations during a brief meeting at Istanbul Airport on Monday, as Zardari was en route to Portugal. The conversation underscored the ongoing importance of bilateral ties, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration.
This upcoming visit signals a positive trajectory for Pakistan-Turkey relations, with both nations eager to enhance their strategic, political, and economic ties for mutual benefit.