LAHORE, May 18, 2025 (WNP): The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, held a series of high-level engagements in Lahore on Sunday, reaffirming Turkiye’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Pakistan across political, economic, and cultural domains.
During a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Turkish envoy received a warm welcome and was lauded for Turkiye’s consistent diplomatic, moral, and strategic support to Pakistan, especially amid recent regional tensions.
“We deeply value Turkiye’s steadfast solidarity,” said CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She recalled the enduring words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — “We are with Pakistan in good and bad times” — saying they resonated deeply with every Pakistani.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of shared interests including enhanced trade cooperation, regional stability, and cultural collaboration. CM Maryam underscored that “Pakistan and Turkiye are more than allies — we are bonded by shared faith, culture, and history.” She expressed gratitude for the Turkish leadership’s hospitality during her recent visit to Turkiye for the Anatolian Diplomacy Forum.
Highlighting Punjab’s economic potential, the chief minister noted that the province was fully prepared to transform its fraternal ties with Turkiye into a robust economic partnership. Referring to the 24 agreements signed during the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, she stressed Punjab’s investor-friendly climate and modern infrastructure as key strengths that could attract Turkish investment.
Speaker of Punjab Assembly calls for deeper parliamentary engagement
Earlier, Ambassador Neziroglu called on Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to discuss deepening bilateral ties. The two dignitaries explored opportunities to enhance parliamentary exchanges, regional cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity.
Speaker Ahmad Khan conveyed heartfelt appreciation to President Erdoğan and the Turkish people for their unflinching support during recent hostilities in South Asia. “President Erdoğan’s unwavering stance has deeply inspired the people of Pakistan,” he noted.
He emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration and invited Turkish investors to explore Pakistan’s emerging markets. Ambassador Neziroglu praised the Speaker’s initiative in establishing the Youth Parliamentarians Forum in the Punjab Assembly, calling it a vital step towards promoting democratic leadership among youth.
Business ties in focus at LCCI
The Turkish Ambassador also met with business leaders at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where he underscored the need to further strengthen economic collaboration in areas such as defence, tourism, agriculture, higher education, and trade.
“Pakistan and Turkiye are one nation. We must act with unity and a shared sense of purpose,” said Dr. Neziroglu. He noted the substantial untapped potential in bilateral trade and urged both countries to leverage opportunities in emerging sectors.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad expressed deep gratitude for Turkiye’s steadfast support, particularly during the recent tensions with India. He praised the Preferential Trade Agreement signed in 2022 for creating a framework to boost two-way trade, particularly across 261 tariff lines offered by Turkiye.
Shad highlighted export opportunities in sectors such as leather, rice, mangoes, seafood, rubber, and engineering goods. Pakistan’s exports to Turkiye rose from $323 million in 2022–23 to $335 million in 2023–24, while imports increased to $491 million during the same period.
He expressed optimism that the positive momentum would continue, targeting a bilateral trade volume of at least $5 billion. LCCI’s Vice Presidents also called for organizing trade delegations and exhibitions, expressing readiness to partner with Turkish chambers under the ambassador’s guidance.
