ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 : Pakistan and Turkiye on Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including defence, trade, energy, culture, education, and infrastructure, pledging to enhance the bilateral trade volume to $5 billion.<\/p>\n
During a joint press stakeout of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar here, the two sides expressed satisfaction over the ongoing progress of the 12 joint standing committees established under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Dar recalled that during the last session of the HLSCC, held in Islamabad in February this year, both sides had agreed to establish a Joint Commission, co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers, to review the progress of the 12 Joint Standing Committees working under the HLSCC framework.<\/p>\n
He expressed satisfaction in sharing that all twelve Joint Standing Committees have either already met or are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
In addition, he said the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), was expected to be held in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe JMC will be co-chaired by the Minister of National Defence of T\u00fcrkiye, Yasar G\u00fcler, and the Minister of Commerce of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan. This important platform is expected to further bolster economic cooperation between the two countries,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The deputy PM praised Turkiye\u2019s successful indigenization of its defence industry, which had grown from 20% to 80% in recent years and said that Pakistan was keen to benefit from its experience.<\/p>\n
He said the Pakistan side was pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Karachi dedicated to Turkish enterprises, while efforts were underway to revive the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad rail corridor. \u201cOur delegations are meeting in coming weeks to finalize a road map in this regard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dar also confirmed that land had been allocated in Muzaffarabad for the construction of a Maarif school.<\/p>\n
He added that several major projects involving Turkish firms were being considered, including the Jinnah Medical Complex, Danish University, offshore drilling operations, and participation in the privatization of power distribution companies. Pakistan is also working to benefit from Turkish expertise in ship-breaking and water management, he added.<\/p>\n
Capacity building in counter-terrorism is also on the agenda, he said adding that \u201cThese initiatives are seen as laying the groundwork for the 8th HLSCC to be held in Turkiye next year\u201d.<\/p>\n
Reaffirming the close bond between the two nations, Ishaq Dar described Turkiye as a \u201ctrusted friend and reliable brother,\u201d emphasizing Pakistan\u2019s solidarity with the Turkish people.<\/p>\n
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hailing the productive meeting with DPM Dar today, said that the bilateral relations between the two nations were strengthening each day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aiming to increase our commercial relations up to $5 billion by enhancing cooperation in diverse areas including energy, mining, education, and transportation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He also stressed the need to further strengthen air, sea, land and railway connections between the two countries, saying that technical activities in this regard were ongoing.<\/p>\n
On regional issues, The Turkish foreign minister praised Pakistan\u2019s restraint during recent tensions with India and reiterated Turkiye\u2019s support for peace and dialogue. \u201cAll international societies have seen the wisdom and calm attitude of Pakistan during the tension,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He also condemned Israel\u2019s attacks in Gaza and Iran, calling them a \u201cviolation of international law,\u201d and pledged continued Turkish efforts for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 : Pakistan and Turkiye on Wednesday reaffirmed their resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including defence, trade, energy, culture, education, and infrastructure, pledging to enhance the bilateral trade volume to $5 billion. During a joint press stakeout of Turkish Foreign […]<\/p>\n
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