Dar calls for economic reset in Pakistan–Türkiye ties amid shifting global trade landscape

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday urged Pakistan and Türkiye to capitalise on sweeping changes in the global economy by forging a stronger economic partnership, saying the two countries should convert decades of political goodwill into tangible trade and investment gains.

Addressing the Pakistan–Türkiye Business Conference, Dar said the international economic order was being reshaped by geopolitical competition, technological advancement, shifting supply chains, the energy transition and changing investment flows, creating new opportunities for countries prepared to strengthen economic collaboration.

He said Pakistan and Türkiye, owing to their strategic location linking Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, were well positioned to become regional gateways for trade, investment and connectivity.

Calling economic diplomacy an increasingly important pillar of foreign policy, Dar urged diplomatic missions, investment promotion agencies, commercial offices and business organisations in both countries to work more closely to remove barriers to trade, facilitate private investment and create stronger commercial linkages.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan's ongoing economic reforms under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were focused on restoring macroeconomic stability, improving investor confidence and making the country a more attractive destination for business.

He invited Turkish companies to expand their presence in Pakistan across energy, mining and minerals, power infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, information technology and defence, saying these sectors offered significant opportunities for investment, technology transfer, industrial upgrading and employment creation.

Dar said future competitiveness would increasingly depend on collaboration in high-value industries such as artificial intelligence, digital innovation, financial technology, advanced manufacturing and research, urging both countries to build long-term partnerships in these emerging fields.

He said Pakistan and Türkiye had consistently stood together on regional peace, security and humanitarian matters, but argued that the strength of those political ties should now be reflected in a far deeper economic relationship.

"The challenge before us is to transform this extraordinary political and brotherly relationship into an equally dynamic economic partnership," he said.

Dar said the rapidly evolving global environment demanded a proactive response, arguing that Pakistan and Türkiye should work together to help shape emerging economic trends rather than simply adapt to them.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding economic engagement with Türkiye and said closer cooperation would allow both countries to unlock their economic potential and compete more effectively in international markets.

Concluding his address, Dar said the business conference should demonstrate the shared determination of both governments to build a partnership founded on prosperity, innovation and regional stability for the benefit of both nations.