ISLAMABAD: Türkiye’s defense and foreign ministers arrived in Pakistan on late Tuesday night for a series of high-level meetings expected to focus on counterterrorism, defense cooperation and broader strategic ties, according to the foreign office in Islamabad.
The visit comes amid deepening relations between the two countries and follows Türkiye’s public condemnation of Indian cross-border strikes in Pakistan during a brief conflict between the two South Asian neighbors in May.
The Pakistani administration announced the arrival of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler in two separate official statements.
“During [their] official visit to Pakistan, key matters of mutual interest will be discussed,” the foreign office said. “The visit highlights the close brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a long history of friendship.”
The Turkish state broadcaster TRT International said the visit “is expected to advance bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and counter-terrorism,” adding the “delegation is also expected to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.”
Pakistan and Türkiye have maintained close military ties in recent years.
Under a 2018 agreement, Türkiye is delivering four MILGEM-class corvettes to the Pakistan Navy, with two built in Istanbul and two at Karachi Shipyard under a technology transfer arrangement.
The first vessel, PNS Babur, was delivered in 2023.
