Pakistan and Turkiye have expressed the resolve to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation in multiple spheres.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at a joint press stakeout in Islamabad today said both countries have agreed to take the annual bilateral trade from existing one billion dollars to five billion dollars. 

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said they have reviewed bilateral cooperation including trade, investment, connectivity and defence.

He said the strategic and comprehensive bilateral relations are manifested by elaborate institutional mechanisms and high-level exchanges.

The Deputy Prime Minister said both sides also discussed the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting scheduled to take place in Islamabad in the near future to carry out a comprehensive review of cooperation and strategic economic framework. 

Ishaq Dar also thanked Turkiye for its continuous support on the issue of Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s support for the legitimate struggle of the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Discussing the Gaza situation, both leaders agreed on an immediate need for a permanent ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestine state to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

In his remarks, Hakan Fidan told the media that Pakistan is a strategic partner of Turkiye as there have been an unshakeable friendship and brotherhood between the two people who always supported each other.

He said both sides decided in principle to broaden and strengthen ties in trade, defense, investment, banking science and technology and innovation.