Pakistan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic ties by raising bilateral trade volume to $5 billion. The decision was made during the 16th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, held in Islamabad on September 8–9. The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Türkiye’s National Defense Minister Yasar Guler.
Before the session, both countries held extensive consultations at ministerial and institutional levels. The talks included strategic councils, standing committees, and diplomatic missions. A draft protocol was reviewed, and the final technical session concluded with agreements on cooperation in multiple areas. Both ministers signed the protocols, giving official status to the commitments.
The JMC meeting covered 24 key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, IT, finance, education, health, tourism, labor, and climate change. Notably, the two sides agreed to hold the first face-to-face negotiations on the Trade in Goods Agreement in October 2025. They also emphasized enhancing business-to-business ties, promoting digital trade, and strengthening customs cooperation.
Another highlight was the agreement to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul railway corridor and accelerate work on the proposed TransPak transport corridor. Both sides showed interest in maritime collaboration, including ship recycling and port development. In energy, they agreed to form sub-working groups for renewable energy, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, LNG, electric vehicles, and hydropower projects.
Cooperation also expanded into IT, industry, agriculture, and finance. Pakistan and Türkiye will organize an IT business forum, promote SME collaboration, and explore Turkish banks’ entry into Pakistan. Agreements also covered textile technology, labor rights, education, health, tourism, and youth development. Both governments expressed optimism that these measures would deepen their strategic economic partnership and ensure timely implementation of all decisions.