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In a world increasingly defined by strategic convergence and regional blocs, the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul was more than a simple diplomatic engagement. It was a signpost. A signal that Pakistan and Türkiye are ready. Perhaps ready more than ever to shift from their historical warmth to real and measurable partnership.
The Pakistan-Türkiye partnership now emphasizes pragmatic plans over poetic platitudes.
This is not a new friendship. It is one of the oldest and most sentimental relationships in Pakistan’s foreign policy history. South Asian Muslims had an emotional connection with the Ottoman Empire. During the Khilafat Movement, Muslims all across the subcontinent mobilized in support of the Ottoman Caliphate. Post-1947, Türkiye was among the first countries to recognize the state of Pakistan. For decades, the language of “Muslim brotherhood” has shaped this bilateral relationship rich in emotion. However, it was often short on structure for execution. Warms gestures there were, but limited delivery.
What makes the 25 May 2025 bilateral meeting of PM Shehbaz Sharif and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan so important is that both sides spoke less in poetic platitudes and more in pragmatic plans. The announcement on collaboration in multiple sectors, including energy, defense, transportation as well as sharing intelligence. To scale trade to US$ 5 billion by 2028 may sound like a familiar line from past meetings, but the underlying mechanics are different this time. Türkiye offered favorable credit lines, the Preferential Trade Agreement, which is already operational and both sides agreed to expand it toward a more comprehensive framework.
In defense, their relationship has matured remarkably a lot throughout the pages of history. The MILGEM corvette project (2018) is not simply an arms deal. It is a technology sharing framework. The construction of two naval vessels in Karachi under Turkish supervision is a blueprint for how strategic industries should collaborate through shared knowledge.
Defense cooperation, like the MILGEM project, reflects shared technological and strategic ambitions.
One of the more subtle yet significant outcomes of President Erdoğan’s visit to Pakistan in February of this year was the alignment of regional narratives. President Erdoğan expressed unwavering support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Similarly, PM Shehbaz’s backing for Türkiye on Northern Cyprus shows a calculated diplomatic harmony. Also, earlier in May, Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor and conducted offensive military strikes in Pakistan.
Ever since their independence, both states have raised a joint voice for humanity and Muslim unity. Equally important is their collective call for a Gaza ceasefire and the commitment to expand humanitarian cooperation. This highlights their shared goal of balancing public sentiment with responsible statecraft.
Now, the time has evolved, and their partnership is not limited to just governmental halls. People-to-people ties are also receiving overdue attention. More scholarships for Pakistani students under Türkiye Bursları, enhanced airline routes, and joint cultural initiatives are not merely vanity projects. It is a recognition that relationships nurtured through culture, education and mobility can endure all weathers.
The real challenge of implementation still stands even after decades. A part of this issue originates from the shared economic pressures, shifting global alliances, and the uncertain actions of the West. Both states need a strategic diversification as a survival tactic, as traditional alliances are no longer sufficient. What Pakistan needs from Türkiye is not just a friendship but access to the markets of Europe and Central Asia, advanced technologies, and diplomatic platforms. Whereas for Türkiye, Pakistan is an important strategic partner in South Asia that can balance influence in the Muslim world as well as offer geographic connectivity. This is not just a merely about complementing rather it is about shielding each other’s vulnerabilities.
Both nations aim to institutionalize ties to navigate shifting global alliances and economic pressures.
History is full of empty promises and follow-ups full of silence. But there is a different energy this time. In the 20th century, a relationship was built on brotherhood, but in the 21st century, yes, there exists a sentimental factor, but also a substance. Indeed, the challenge is institutionalization. The moment is passing, but what matters here is what they build before it does.
The writer is a Researcher and analyst of international relations.
