Turkiye-Pakistan: Between Promises and Reality

Majid Burfat
The recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan marks a significant chapter in the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries. With the signing of 24 agreements and MoUs across various sectors, the visit was hailed as a promising gesture of cooperation. However, while these agreements reflect mutual goodwill, Pakistan must critically assess how it can truly harness the opportunities presented and where caution is required. Past agreements, though often ambitious, have sometimes failed to materialize into tangible outcomes. Therefore, the real question is whether Pakistan can move beyond symbolic gestures to meaningful results this time around. The defense collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye remains one of the strongest pillars of this relationship. Projects such as the MILGEM warship, along with Pakistan’s acquisition of Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters and UAV technology, have helped modernize Pakistan’s defense capabilities. These initiatives reflect a shared understanding of the strategic importance of strengthening military cooperation. However, Pakistan must be wary of the risks of over-reliance on imported military technology. The key to maximizing this collaboration lies in moving towards technology transfer agreements and developing Pakistan’s own defense infrastructure in partnership with Turkiye, rather than simply being a recipient of advanced weapons systems. Pakistan must ensure that such collaborations contribute to its long-term military self-sufficiency rather than just short-term strategic gains. Moreover, while defense cooperation is undoubtedly beneficial, Pakistan must also be aware of the lessons it can learn from Turkiye’s counterterrorism efforts. Turkiye’s battle against the PKK has given it a unique experience in combating insurgency, an experience that can provide valuable insights for Pakistan as it tackles its own security challenges, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. However, Turkiye’s approach to dealing with internal dissent has often drawn criticism for its heavy-handed tactics. Pakistan must evaluate whether Turkiye’s methods are suitable for its own context or if a more tailored, balanced approach is needed, especially in terms of handling political dissent and maintaining democratic freedoms. On the economic front, the goal of raising bilateral trade to $5 billion is undoubtedly ambitious, but Pakistan must be realistic about the challenges ahead. The agreements between the two countries touch on a broad array of sectors, from agriculture to energy, textiles to banking, and beyond. While these agreements signify intent, the true test lies in their implementation. Pakistan has a history of signing trade and economic deals that have not lived up to expectations, primarily due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, an unstable policy environment, and inconsistent regulations. This pattern of underachievement must be broken if Pakistan hopes to benefit from its relationship with Turkiye. It must prioritize creating a transparent, investor-friendly environment where foreign businesses are incentivized to engage meaningfully and long-term. Additionally, Pakistan must not just focus on trade and investment but also seek knowledge transfer and capacity-building in sectors where Turkiye excels, such as manufacturing, construction, and technological innovation. While Turkiye’s support in boosting Pakistan’s defense and economic sectors is vital, there are other areas where Pakistan must strategically leverage its relationship with Turkiye. The most immediate example is the ongoing issue of Kashmir, which has been a source of tension between Pakistan and India for decades. Turkiye has consistently voiced its support for Pakistan on the international stage, particularly in the United Nations, but Pakistan has not fully exploited this diplomatic leverage. With Turkiye’s strong stance on regional sovereignty and its influence in the Muslim world, it could play a key role in highlighting Pakistan’s concerns regarding India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir and the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination. Unlike separatist movements elsewhere, Kashmiris are freedom fighters struggling against Indian state oppression, not insurgents, and this distinction must be reinforced at global forums. Pakistan should work closely with Turkiye to initiate joint diplomatic campaigns, mobilize support in international organizations, and strengthen global narratives that expose Indian human rights violations in Kashmir. [CONTINUE] Moreover, given Turkiye’s strong diplomatic ties with Western powers, it could act as a bridge in bringing broader global attention to the Kashmir issue, something Pakistan alone has struggled to achieve. Beyond these strategic dimensions, the visit also raised the prospects of increased investment from Turkiye in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, and technology sectors. While Turkiye’s economic footprint in Pakistan is still relatively small, it is poised to grow, provided Pakistan can overcome its systemic barriers. Turkiye’s track record of successful investments, particularly in Central Asia and the Middle East, should encourage Pakistan to create a more conducive environment for investment. However, past experiences suggest that foreign investors often face numerous obstacles in Pakistan, ranging from political instability to inconsistent economic policies. If Pakistan is to benefit from Turkiye’s growing investment interests, it must take bold steps to remove these impediments. The country must embark on comprehensive structural reforms especially in its taxation system, governance, and legal frameworks to ensure consistency that foreign investments have the desired impact. Cultural and media collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye remains a largely untapped area of potential. Turkiye has a globally recognized entertainment industry, with its TV dramas and films gaining widespread popularity, particularly in South Asia. Pakistan must explore joint media ventures, including co-productions in film and television, educational exchanges, and digital content creation that can help bring the people of both nations closer. Collaborative efforts in higher education, literature, and the arts can also strengthen people-to-people ties, reinforcing diplomatic relationships at a grassroots level. Additionally, both nations should use media as a soft power tool to challenge global misinformation and highlight their mutual geopolitical interests, including the plight of oppressed communities like Palestinians and Kashmiris. Given the Western dominance in shaping global narratives, such partnerships can help counter biased portrayals and ensure that voices from the Global South are better represented in international discourse. Turning to regional issues, Turkiye’s involvement in the Syrian conflict and its relationship with countries in the Middle East is another area where Pakistan must tread carefully. The situation in Syria, post-Bashar al-Assad, has positioned Turkiye as an influential regional player. However, Pakistan has generally maintained a neutral stance on the Syrian conflict, preferring not to get involved in the complexities of the region’s geopolitics. While Pakistan and Turkiye share a desire for regional stability, Pakistan must avoid being drawn into external conflicts that do not directly align with its national interests. Rather, Pakistan should focus on leveraging Turkiye’s influence in the region to advance its own diplomatic goals, particularly concerning peace and security in Afghanistan and Central Asia. On the issue of Palestine, both Pakistan and Turkiye have historically been vocal supporters of Palestinian sovereignty and the end of Israeli occupation. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted both nations to call for an immediate ceasefire and an independent Palestinian state. However, while these sentiments are commendable, Pakistan must ensure that its partnership with Turkiye translates into concrete actions. For example, both countries could work together on humanitarian aid initiatives for Palestinians or use their platforms at international forums like the United Nations to advocate for stronger sanctions on Israel. This kind of collaboration would not only solidify the bond between Pakistan and Turkiye but also underscore their commitment to justice for Palestine. In essence, while President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan has undoubtedly strengthened the ties between the two nations, the challenge for Pakistan lies in transforming these agreements into tangible results. The past has shown that agreements often remain just that—agreements without follow-through. This time, Pakistan must ensure that it moves beyond mere rhetoric and takes actionable steps to harness the full potential of its relationship with Turkiye, especially in areas such as defense, trade, investment, media, and diplomacy. Only by doing so will it secure a partnership that truly benefits its national interests and contributes to regional stability. ( Author is a former Civil Servant, Mentor, Social Development Practitioner and Educationist)