Turkey and Pakistan: Best Friends Forever
Before the emergence of modern-day Pakistan or Turkey, there were the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent and the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. These two groups interacted throughout history on various levels—cultural, military, and political. As the Ottoman Empire was widely regarded as the de facto leader of the Muslim world, the Muslims of what are now Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of India recognized the authority of the Ottoman Caliph.
However, as always, time does not stand still—and history moved forward.
The Start
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Turkey began in 1947, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of Pakistan after the Partition of British India. From the outset, there was a deep sense of admiration among Pakistanis for the Turkish people. It is historically documented that Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, held great respect and admiration for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic.
Among the various areas of cooperation, the most developed and enduring sector of mutual support between the two nations has been their militaries—an institution both countries have frequently faced criticism over, whether in the context of international diplomacy or internal conflicts.
Strategic Military Cooperation
Since the 1950s, Turkey and Pakistan have engaged in extensive military cooperation, including training exchanges, joint exercises, and defense production partnerships. Today, Turkey stands as Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier, following China.
Key initiatives in this partnership include the co-production of MILGEM-class corvettes, the sale of Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters to Pakistan, and Pakistan’s sale of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Turkey. These ties go beyond simple transactions between engineers—they represent a defense relationship valued in the billions of dollars.
Cooperation in Other Sectors
While the military-industrial complex remains the cornerstone of Pakistan-Turkey relations, cooperation between the two countries extends into several other key areas, including economic ties and regional collaboration.
Following the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in August 2022, both nations agreed to reduce or eliminate tariffs across several hundred sectors. As a result, bilateral trade volumes have grown significantly. Even prior to the agreement, trade between the two countries had reached $1.14 billion.
Turkish investments in Pakistan are substantial, spanning energy, finance, and infrastructure. A notable example is the 100-megawatt solar power plant established by Zorlu Enerji in Punjab. Conversely, Pakistani investments in Turkey are more concentrated in the automotive, electronics, and telecommunications sectors.
Tourism also contributes to economic cooperation, with more than 135,000 Pakistani tourists visiting Turkey in 2024 alone, supporting its hospitality and service industries.
Importantly, the ties between Pakistan and Turkey are not limited to commerce and business alone.
Humanitarian & Diplomatic Assistance
Following the devastating 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Turkey provided a $100 million relief package through the Pakistani government—a gesture of solidarity and reciprocity for Pakistan’s assistance during Turkey’s 1999 earthquake. In return, Pakistan also extended support to Turkey after the 2011 and 2023 earthquakes. These consistent acts of mutual aid underscore a relationship rooted not only in strategy but in compassion and solidarity.
In February 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Islamabad to co-chair the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The visit culminated in the signing of 24 agreements and the establishment of a memorandum of understanding across various sectors. Both countries also continue to maintain shared political positions on key regional issues, including support for the Palestinian cause and peace in Afghanistan.