Pakistan, Turkiye Link Stronger Defences With Regional Diplomacy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan and Turkiye intend to strengthen their defence partnership while continuing to support dialogue, international law and peaceful settlement of regional disputes. He delivered the message at a ceremony in Islamabad marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye.

The prime minister described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia on August 7, 2026, as an important development in regional security cooperation. According to his remarks, the arrangement is designed to reinforce collective deterrence while supporting peace and stability rather than replacing diplomatic engagement.

Shehbaz said the relationship between Islamabad and Ankara had developed into a broad strategic partnership covering defence, political coordination, trade, culture and exchanges between their citizens. He argued that the economic dimension of the relationship should now advance to a level matching the two countries’ political and security ties.

The prime minister invited Turkish companies to explore investment and joint-venture opportunities in Pakistan, citing the country’s young population, geographic position and economic potential. He referred to the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone announced in Karachi during a bilateral business conference in Istanbul in July, presenting it as a possible platform for investment, employment and shared industrial growth.

Shehbaz also recalled Turkiye’s support during earlier emergencies in Pakistan, including the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods. He highlighted Turkish assistance in establishing a hospital, a school and model villages in Muzaffargarh, describing those projects as enduring examples of cooperation extending beyond official diplomatic exchanges.

Turning to recent security developments, the prime minister referred to Turkish diplomatic support during the four-day Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025. He maintained that the two countries’ defence cooperation should operate alongside efforts to reduce tensions through dialogue and respect for international legal principles.

The remarks followed a period of expanding regional coordination involving Pakistan and Turkiye. Earlier in October, the two governments agreed to increase cooperation against terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime and to establish a joint working group between their interior ministries. Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran also recently participated in discussions aimed at encouraging regional dialogue and security coordination.

Turkish Ambassador Dr Irfan Neziroglu said the relationship was rooted in shared history and mutual assistance during periods of crisis. The next test for both governments will be translating their strong political relationship and new security arrangements into measurable trade, investment, industrial cooperation and employment outcomes for their populations.