KAZIM ALAM
Türkiye and Pakistan are likely to sign a raft of investment and defence deals as the two Muslim-majority nations deepen their rock-solid bilateral ties during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-day visit to Islamabad starting February 12.
Analysts say the visit is expected to yield tangible outcomes in economic, defence and cultural spheres, reflecting Türkiye’s strategic interest in strengthening ties with Pakistan and its broader commitment to regional stability.
In a social media post, President Erdogan said his visit to Pakistan, which enjoyed an “exceptional place” in the hearts of the Turkish people, will further strengthen ties between the two nations.
The highlight of the visit will be the seventh session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, the highest decision-making forum on bilateral economic matters.
Erdogan will co-chair the session with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 13.
The key focus during the high-profile visit will be on addressing the issue of bilateral trade stagnation, which hovers around $1.3 billion, says Dr Waqar Badshah, assistant professor of economics at Istanbul University.
As president of the Pakistan-Türkiye Business Development Platform, Badshah is part of the Turkish delegation visiting Islamabad along with President Erdogan.
The two countries are expected to expand the list of goods covered under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which has been effective since 2023, and address lingering non-tariff barriers like import quotas, subsidies and customs delays, Badshah tells TRT World.
The two countries have agreed to take the volume of bilateral trade to $5 billion. In 2024, Türkiye’s exports to Pakistan totalled only $918 million, less than 0.5 percent of its total exports the same year.
At $440 million, Ankara’s imports from Pakistan also represented a miniscule share of its total purchases globally in the same 12-month period.
Badshah says both sides will expand the scope of the existing 71-point Strategic Economic Framework, signed in 2020 to boost bilateral trade.
Türkiye has already agreed to consider extending a $350 million credit facility, a special arrangement that will allow Pakistan greater flexibility in terms of interest rates and repayment periods than a traditional bank loan.
A diplomatic win for both sides
Ties between Muslims of the Indian subcontinent and the Turkish people date back to the early twentieth century.
The subcontinent’s Muslims extended unconditional support to the Turkish War of Independence, which earned them a “special place” in the minds of the Turkish people. In the same vein, Türkiye’s success in establishing a modern state after the war has been a constant source of inspiration for Pakistani people.
Türkiye and Pakistan have spoken with one voice on issues like Palestine, Kashmir, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Karabakh. President Erdogan’s visit will further strengthen the partnership, enabling the two countries to play a more influential role in addressing global challenges and promoting peace, Badshah says.
Türkiye and Pakistan share common strategic interests in regional stability, particularly in the context of challenges posed by terrorism and extremism.
Both countries are located in regions that face security threats from groups such as the TTP, YPG/PKK, Daesh and many other terrorist organisations. The similar kind of threats create a “natural partnership” between Türkiye and Pakistan as the two nations increasingly seek to coordinate their counter-terrorism efforts, he says.
The two nations share a similar geopolitical outlook, particularly in their emphasis on sovereignty and opposition to external interference. They also cooperate closely in multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). This alignment strengthens their bilateral defence ties as part of a broader strategic partnership.
“By strengthening defence ties with Pakistan, Türkiye not only enhances its strategic depth but also reinforces its role as a reliable partner for countries in South Asia and the Muslim world,” he says, adding that Ankara’s defence cooperation with Islamabad also serves as a counterbalance to its relations with other global powers.
Türkiye may see its defence ties with Pakistan as a way to leverage influence over regional security, especially in the context of India’s growing military strength, he says.
According to Baqir Sajjad Syed, an Islamabad-based foreign affairs analyst, the significance of President Erdogan’s visit is amplified by Türkiye’s rising diplomatic clout in the Middle East after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.
“This has created new strategic and economic opportunities for Pakistan, including potential collaboration in post-conflict Syrian reconstruction and counter-terrorism,” he tells TRT World.
Türkiye’s position as a vocal advocate for Muslim issues, particularly on Palestine, aligns closely with Pakistan’s foreign policy stance, he adds.
Growing defence ties
Türkiye and Pakistan have increased military cooperation significantly in recent years. Ankara’s proactive approach to strengthening defence ties with Islamabad stems from its transformation into a major arms exporter, particularly in high-tech and indigenous military hardware like UAVs and naval vessels.
“This shift has enhanced Türkiye’s strategic autonomy, making Pakistan a key defence partner,” Syed says.
Citing a 2023 report, he says Türkiye has become Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier. Ankara fulfilled 11 percent of Islamabad’s total arms needs in 2023 by exporting weaponry and ammunition worth $21 million.
Both countries have faced arms embargoes from Western suppliers, prompting them to enhance indigenous capabilities through technology transfers, co-production and joint ventures, he says.
“Türkiye views Pakistan as both a significant market for its NATO-standard defence products and a strategic ally in reducing reliance on external suppliers. Joint projects such as the naval warships, aircraft upgrades and drone acquisitions reflect this growing collaboration,” he adds.
Strengthening defence ties with Pakistan helps Türkiye secure valuable defence contracts while simultaneously helping Islamabad modernise its military capabilities, says Badshah of Istanbul University.
“Pakistan’s strategic location in South Asia, its proximity to China, and its role in the Afghanistan conflict make it an important partner in Türkiye’s efforts to influence regional security discussions,” he says.
source : TRT World