Turkey and Pakistan have deepened their defence and strategic partnership through high-level ministerial meetings in Islamabad. Discussions covered UAVs, joint air exercises, arms trade, and military training, reinforcing their alliance amid regional tensions. The two nations also committed to expanding economic ties and joint ventures in defence and infrastructure.
In a development that underscores the growing military and strategic bond between Pakistan and Turkey, two of Ankara’s top ministers visited Islamabad this week to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler held a series of high-level meetings with Pakistan’s top political and military leadership, further solidifying the already robust ties between the two historically allied nations.
The Turkish delegation met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. The discussions centered around enhancing cooperation in the defence sector, arms trade, disruptive technologies, and emerging security challenges in the region.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged Turkey’s unwavering support during Pakistan’s recent diplomatic standoff with India, calling Turkey a “trusted friend” and “reliable brother.” He emphasized Islamabad’s gratitude for Ankara’s consistent diplomatic backing, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue.
Turkey and Pakistan’s military-to-military relationship has steadily grown over the years. This visit reinforced joint initiatives in training, arms and weapons production, and strategic projects. During their trip, the Turkish ministers co-chaired a meeting of the Joint Commission under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), further institutionalizing the defence partnership.
The HLSCC framework, first activated in February this year, includes 12 Joint Standing Committees (JSCs) that cover various sectors ranging from defence and trade to energy and infrastructure. The latest commission meeting reviewed progress in these areas, and both sides committed to holding a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting in the coming weeks to explore deeper collaboration.
In the defence domain, the discussions highlighted the need for advanced joint projects, particularly in the development and deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), state-of-the-art avionics, and pilot training exchanges. The Pakistani Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, also hosted the delegation, underscoring shared interests in expanding aerial defence cooperation.
Joint air exercises and more extensive defence drills were proposed as a part of the next phase of strategic cooperation. The engagement signifies a growing synergy in aerial warfare, electronic warfare systems, and future battlefield technologies.
Pakistan has also announced support for Turkey’s economic expansion in South Asia. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Turkish entrepreneurs will be set up in Karachi, designed to facilitate trade and manufacturing ventures. In addition, the Turkish Maarif Foundation will establish and operate a school in Muzaffarabad, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), highlighting Turkey’s expanding educational footprint in Pakistan.
Economic cooperation was another major highlight of the visit. Both nations have expressed a desire to increase bilateral trade to USD $5 billion, focusing on defence production, energy cooperation, and infrastructure development.
Interestingly, the timing of Turkey’s high-level visit coincided with the arrival of Lt. Gen. Wang Gang, Chief of Staff of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), who was also in Islamabad. He met with senior Pakistani defence officials, including the Air Chief, and praised the Pakistan Air Force’s recent operational performance, describing it as a “textbook example of precision.”
The Pakistani Army issued a statement following the meetings with the Chinese delegation, noting that discussions included evolving regional security dynamics, defence cooperation, and strategic alignment in new domains of warfare, such as cyber and space.
Pakistan’s defence diplomacy appears to be in full swing, aligning simultaneously with Turkey and China, two of its closest allies. The convergence of these strategic engagements reflects Islamabad’s efforts to reposition itself as a central player in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment marked by increasing regional tensions.
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In conclusion, the Turkish ministers’ visit has laid the foundation for enhanced defence, economic, and technological collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey. The strategic embrace between the two nations is not only timely but also essential, given the evolving nature of regional and global security challenges.
