{"id":87730,"date":"2026-10-29T15:35:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/?p=87730"},"modified":"2026-10-30T16:17:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T16:17:11","slug":"pm-shehbaz-urges-turkish-investors-to-turn-historic-brotherhood-into-economic-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/2026\/10\/29\/pm-shehbaz-urges-turkish-investors-to-turn-historic-brotherhood-into-economic-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"PM Shehbaz urges Turkish investors to turn historic brotherhood into economic opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Calls for stronger trade, investment and joint ventures; announces President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan Special Economic Zone in Karachi; says Pakistan-T\u00fcrkiye friendship must translate into shared prosperity and jobs for youth<\/em><\/h6>\n<figure id=\"attachment_87493\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-87493\" style=\"width: 150px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-87493 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7e03b49-07d2-44c3-8791-3758a5916844-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-87493\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By Rehan Khan Director Diplomatic &amp; International Affairs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>ISLAMABAD<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited Turkish business leaders and investors to explore Pakistan\u2019s growing economic opportunities, urging them to transform the historic brotherhood between the two countries into joint ventures, shared prosperity and meaningful employment for their young people.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye here, the prime minister said the economic partnership between Pakistan and T\u00fcrkiye must match the strength of their political and strategic relationship.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PM Shehbaz urges Turkish investors to turn historic brotherhood into economic opportunities\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OlSIgGf7ZyU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Recalling the Pakistan-T\u00fcrkiye Business Conference held in Istanbul in July, he announced the establishment of the President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan Special Economic Zone in Karachi and highlighted Pakistan\u2019s young population, strategic geographical location and growing economic potential as important opportunities for Turkish investors.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>He said the two countries should work towards building an even stronger economic partnership, deepening their strategic alliance and creating a shared future in which their peoples prosper together.<\/p>\n<p>On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, the prime minister extended heartfelt felicitations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan, the government and the brotherly people of T\u00fcrkiye on the historic occasion.<\/p>\n<p>He said T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s journey as a republic, launched on October 29, 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk and the country\u2019s founding fathers, reflected courage, sacrifice and an unshakable national will.<\/p>\n<p>He observed that under President Erdo\u011fan\u2019s leadership, T\u00fcrkiye had emerged as a formidable force on the global stage, making remarkable progress in economic development, defence technology, modern infrastructure and humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n<p>Highlighting the historical foundations of Pakistan-T\u00fcrkiye friendship, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the bond between the two nations predated the creation of Pakistan. He recalled that Muslims of the subcontinent, particularly from the areas that now constitute Pakistan, had stood firmly with their Turkish brothers and sisters during T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s War of Independence despite living under British rule.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87731\" src=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1-631x420.jpg 631w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0S_slaYAAQ1_O-1-696x463.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Recalling the Khilafat Movement, he said mothers had donated their gold bangles, widows had parted with their last savings and ordinary people had contributed whatever they could to support their Turkish brethren.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The prime minister said that generations later, T\u00fcrkiye had reciprocated this affection by standing alongside Pakistan during its most difficult times.<\/p>\n<p>He recalled T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s prompt assistance following the devastating earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 and President Erdo\u011fan\u2019s personal visit to flood-affected areas in 2010. He said that, as the then chief minister of Punjab, he had the honour of accompanying President Erdo\u011fan to Muzaffargarh and adjoining areas and witnessing his personal concern for the affected people.<\/p>\n<p>He also paid tribute to First Lady Emine Erdo\u011fan for donating her personal necklace to support Pakistan\u2019s flood victims, describing the gesture as a powerful symbol of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s genuine affection for the Pakistani people.<\/p>\n<p>He said that on President Erdo\u011fan\u2019s instructions, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (T\u0130KA) established a modern hospital, a school and modern villages for flood-affected communities in Muzaffargarh. The Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan Hospital and Emine Erdo\u011fan School, he added, continued to serve the people by providing healthcare and education.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister said ordinary Turkish citizens from Ankara, Istanbul and towns across Anatolia had also generously contributed to relief efforts for Pakistan, demonstrating that the historic bond between the two nations extended beyond governments to their people.<\/p>\n<p>Recalling the devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmara\u015f and Hatay in February 2023, he said the people of Pakistan had shared the grief of their Turkish brothers and sisters and stood with them in their hour of sorrow, just as T\u00fcrkiye had supported Pakistan during its own difficult moments.<\/p>\n<p>He further recalled T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s firm support for Pakistan during Marka-e-Haq last year, when, he said, Pakistan faced Indian aggression and its sovereignty was put to a serious test. He described T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s solidarity as a source of strength and comfort for the Pakistani nation that would remain etched in its hearts and memories.<\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the historic friendship had evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership encompassing political dialogue, trade and investment, defence, education, culture and people-to-people contacts.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87732\" src=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-632x420.jpg 632w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-696x463.jpg 696w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TJQEa4AAegEC-1-1068x710.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Referring to the Makkah Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, by Pakistan, T\u00fcrkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he described it as an important milestone in cooperation among the three countries, strengthening collective deterrence and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional peace and stability.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>He emphasised that while strengthening their defence capabilities, the countries would continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.<\/p>\n<p>Concluding his address, the prime minister described the relationship between the two nations in the words, \u201c\u0130ki ruh, tek kalp\u201d \u2014 two souls, one heart \u2014 saying that no words captured the essence of Pakistan-T\u00fcrkiye friendship more accurately.<\/p>\n<p>He wished T\u00fcrkiye continued prosperity and its people progress and well-being, expressing confidence that the brotherly bond between the two countries would grow stronger with every passing moment.<\/p>\n<p>He concluded by extending Republic Day greetings to T\u00fcrkiye and reaffirming the enduring friendship between the two nations.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-87733\" src=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1703\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-scaled.jpg 1703w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-768x1155.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-1362x2048.jpg 1362w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-279x420.jpg 279w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-150x226.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-696x1047.jpg 696w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-1068x1606.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/HV0TBSAaEAAhhoT-1-1920x2887.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1703px) 100vw, 1703px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calls for stronger trade, investment and joint ventures; announces President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan Special Economic Zone in Karachi; says Pakistan-T\u00fcrkiye friendship must translate into shared prosperity and jobs for youth ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited Turkish business leaders and investors to explore Pakistan\u2019s growing economic opportunities, urging them to transform the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":87734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-diplomacy","category-middle-east"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87730"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87735,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87730\/revisions\/87735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thediplomat.com.pk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}