Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that Pakistan is specifically seeking Turkish investment in critical sectors such as energy, mining, minerals, power infrastructure, information technology, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, and defence industries. He made these remarks during a Pakistan-Turkiye Business Conference, emphasizing that these sectors "offer tremendous opportunities not only for commercial success but also for technology transfer, industrial modernisation, and employment generation."
Economic Reforms and Investor Confidence
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Sunday, Dar noted that the Pakistani government "has embarked upon an ambitious programme of economic reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif." He added that the programme aims to improve macroeconomic stability, enhance investor confidence, create an enabling environment, and improve the ease of doing business for business leaders and houses.
Collaboration in Emerging Technologies
Dar highlighted the equal importance of collaboration in emerging technologies. "Artificial intelligence, digital innovation, FinTech, advanced manufacturing, and research partnerships will increasingly determine the competitiveness of our two economies," he said. He noted that there is "enormous potential for our universities, research institutions, and private sectors to work together in these fields."
Unique Bilateral Relationship
The foreign minister observed that Islamabad and Istanbul "enjoy a relationship that is unique in international affairs and history," adding that the two countries have "consistently stood by each other" throughout the decades, "whether on matters of regional peace and security, humanitarian assistance, or support for each other's core national interests." According to Dar, "this political trust is among the strongest assets of our two nations."
Transforming Political Trust into Economic Partnership
Addressing the purpose of the conference, Dar maintained that the challenge both countries face "is to transform this extraordinary political and brotherly relationship into an equally dynamic economic partnership." He added that the international landscape is changing rapidly, with the global economy being reshaped by geopolitical competition, technological transformation, changing supply chains, energy transitions, and new patterns of trade and investment.
Strategic Location and Economic Diplomacy
Discussing the strategic location of both countries, FM Dar stated that they are "strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia." He added that such positioning allows Istanbul and Islamabad to "connect markets, regions, and opportunities that extend far beyond our own borders." Noting that diplomacy today is "no longer confined to political dialogue alone," he stated, "Economic diplomacy is the name of the game."
