Pakistan Reaffirms $5 Billion Trade Target With Türkiye, Seeks More Turkish Investment

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to the long-standing $5 billion bilateral trade target with Türkiye and said it wants greater Turkish investment, particularly in its Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The commitment was reiterated during a meeting in Islamabad between Turkish Ambassador Irfan Nezioglu and Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, according to a Finance Division statement.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment and energy. Kayani welcomed Türkiye's strong interest in investing in Pakistan and said both countries should translate their close political ties into higher trade volumes. He described the relationship as an opportunity to convert goodwill into measurable economic outcomes.

The minister noted the active participation of Turkish companies in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26), currently being held in Islamabad, and highlighted Turkish firms' interest in the privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOs). He also identified maritime and ship-breaking as sectors with considerable potential for joint ventures between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to renew efforts to expand the Pakistan-Türkiye Trade in Goods Agreement and to hold further meetings aimed at turning political goodwill into actionable targets. The discussions reflect a shared desire to broaden the economic relationship beyond traditional trade and toward industrial and infrastructure partnerships.

The $5 billion trade goal is not new. Leaders of both countries have repeatedly cited the figure over the years, including when the target was first set out in 2020 and again when it was renewed in 2025. Actual bilateral trade has remained well below that level, underscoring the gap between ambition and implementation.

For Pakistan, deeper economic engagement with Türkiye comes as the country seeks foreign investment to support its SEZs, energy sector and privatization program. The outcome of the renewed push will depend on follow-through on the agreements discussed and on concrete steps to remove trade barriers between the two nations.