ISLAMABAD, Sunday, January 25, 2026 (WNP): A high-level delegation comprising women members of the Balochistan Assembly has concluded an official visit to Türkiye, aimed at strengthening parliamentary, diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Türkiye, with a particular focus on projecting Balochistan’s development potential and enhancing youth and women-led cooperation.

The delegation was led by Farah Azeem Shah, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), a senior leader of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and President of the BAP Women Wing. Other members of the delegation included Salma Kakar, MPA (Awami National Party), Hadiya Nawaz, MPA (Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz), and Kulsoom, MPA (National Party).

During the visit, the delegation held a series of meetings with Türkiye’s senior political leadership and parliamentary representatives, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in parliamentary engagement, education, youth development, investment and economic connectivity, as well as promoting positive narratives about Pakistan and Balochistan.

The Balochistan lawmakers met with leaders of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where discussions centred on the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Türkiye, opportunities for enhanced parliamentary cooperation, and collaboration in regional development initiatives.

The delegation also met Senator Dr Mustafa Kaya, Vice President of the Saadet Party and a member of the NATO Group of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. During the meeting, Farah Azeem Shah highlighted Balochistan’s strategic location, rich natural resources and untapped development potential. She briefed the Turkish side on ongoing reforms and initiatives, including the Balochistan Sustainable Development Initiative (BSDI), which she said was transforming the province’s socio-economic landscape.

Inviting Turkish businesses and institutions to explore investment opportunities in Balochistan, she identified key sectors such as mines and minerals, infrastructure development, education and youth skills training as areas of potential collaboration.

She also requested increased scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students, particularly from Balochistan, in Turkish universities to promote academic exchange and capacity building.

Turkish leaders warmly welcomed the delegation and praised the role of women parliamentarians in strengthening bilateral ties. They expressed appreciation for what they described as a positive and authentic representation of Balochistan, noting that the province’s cultural heritage is an important asset for Pakistan. The Turkish side also conveyed interest in visiting Balochistan and exploring avenues for deeper engagement.

During the discussions, both sides agreed to establish a joint think tank and a working group between Pakistan and Türkiye to facilitate policy-level cooperation, identify investment opportunities, promote youth exchange programmes and jointly counter misinformation and negative propaganda through coordinated engagement.

The two sides also agreed to maintain regular contacts and hold further high-level meetings to sustain momentum and deepen bilateral cooperation across political, economic and social sectors.

Political observers described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Pakistan–Türkiye relations, particularly through parliamentary diplomacy and women-led engagement. They noted that the initiative not only underscored the growing role of women leaders in foreign and parliamentary affairs, but also contributed to projecting a positive image of Balochistan at the regional and global levels while advancing opportunities for youth development and international cooperation.