ISTANBUL, Saturday, July 4, 2026 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday invited Türkiye’s leading telecommunications company, Turkcell, to become a strategic partner in Pakistan’s digital transformation by exploring long-term collaboration in 5G deployment, digital infrastructure, technology transfer and telecommunications manufacturing.

The invitation came during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkcell Chief Executive Officer Ali Taha Koç in Istanbul, where both sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the digital and technology sectors.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of deepening Pakistan-Türkiye collaboration in information and communication technologies (ICT), highlighting the government’s vision of establishing a Pakistan-Türkiye Digital Corridor aimed at enhancing regional digital connectivity, facilitating secure cross-border data exchange and promoting the integration of digital infrastructure.

Highlighting Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Prime Minister Shehbaz invited Turkcell to explore long-term partnerships with Pakistani institutions in key areas including the deployment of 5G technology, network optimization, spectrum management, digital infrastructure development and technology transfer.

He also encouraged the company to consider collaboration in the local manufacturing of telecommunications equipment, software development, digital skills enhancement and capacity building, noting that such partnerships would strengthen Pakistan’s technology ecosystem while creating new opportunities for innovation, employment and sustainable economic growth.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly business environment, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which continues to provide one-window facilitation for strategic investments, particularly in the information and communication technology sector.

Turkcell Chief Executive Officer Ali Taha Koç appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s forward-looking digital transformation agenda and expressed the company’s strong interest in exploring cooperation opportunities in telecommunications, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.

He reaffirmed Turkcell’s commitment to working closely with relevant Pakistani partners to establish mutually beneficial partnerships that would contribute to the shared economic and technological objectives of Pakistan and Türkiye.

The meeting reflected the growing momentum in Pakistan-Türkiye economic and technological cooperation and highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to accelerating digital innovation, strengthening connectivity and building a knowledge-driven economy through strategic partnerships.