Pakistan, Türkiye must transform political ties into dynamic economic partnership: Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday called for Pakistan and Türkiye to translate their longstanding political and brotherly relationship into a dynamic economic partnership, saying both countries were well placed to benefit from changing global trade and investment patterns.

Addressing the Pakistan–Türkiye Business Conference in Istanbul, Dar said the two countries had consistently stood by each other on regional peace, security and humanitarian issues, and should now focus on deepening economic cooperation.

“Our challenge is to transform this extraordinary political and brotherly relationship into an equally dynamic economic partnership,” he said.

Dar said the global economy was being reshaped by geopolitical competition, technological transformation, shifting supply chains, energy transitions and new patterns of trade and investment, creating new opportunities for countries that worked together.

He said Pakistan and Türkiye, strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, could leverage their geographical position to strengthen trade, investment and regional connectivity.

Stressing that economic diplomacy had become a key instrument of international relations, Dar urged embassies, commercial missions, investment promotion agencies and business organisations to work more closely to facilitate trade, encourage investment and remove barriers facing entrepreneurs.

The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform programme under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying it was aimed at improving macroeconomic stability, boosting investor confidence and enhancing the ease of doing business.

He invited greater Turkish investment in sectors including energy, mining, minerals, power infrastructure, information technology, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism and defence, saying these industries offered significant opportunities for commercial success, technology transfer, industrial modernisation and employment generation.

Dar also underscored the importance of cooperation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital innovation, financial technology, advanced manufacturing and research partnerships, saying these areas would increasingly determine the competitiveness of both economies.

“The world is changing. Alliances are being built and tested, trade agreements are being renegotiated, and the rules of global competition are being rewritten,” he said, urging Pakistan and Türkiye to work together to shape the future rather than merely respond to global challenges.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Türkiye, saying the two countries could compete successfully in global markets by working in unison.

“The potential is there. Let us seize it together for the benefit of the peoples of Türkiye and Pakistan,” Dar said.

He concluded by saying the conference should send a clear message that Pakistan and Türkiye were ready to build a shared future based on prosperity, innovation and regional stability.