Pakistan and Turkiye are reenergizing efforts to reach their $5 billion bilateral trade goal, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructing the Ministry of Commerce to set clear deliverables and timelines. In 2024, trade stood at $1.4 billion — well below potential despite a Trade in Goods Agreement signed in 2023.
The PM’s directives include advancing cooperation in energy, infrastructure, defense, and tech, while urging the setup of a Special Economic Zone for Turkish firms in Karachi. Reviving the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad Railway and exploring ship-breaking and digitized cargo tracking are also part of the roadmap.
A Joint Ministerial Commission meeting is being rescheduled to August 2025 to fast-track progress. Posts on X reflect optimism, with users viewing the renewed push as a potential game-changer for regional trade and strategic partnerships.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 14th, 2025
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