There are few foreign relationships in Pakistan that enjoy the emotional ease of its ties with Turkiye. The phrase used by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, that the two countries are “two hearts with one soul”, will resonate with the public on both sides. It draws on a real history of support during wars, floods, earthquakes, diplomatic crises and moments of regional stress. But emotions, however sincere, are not an economic strategy. The more useful test of the latest Pakistan-Turkiye engagement is whether this warmth can finally be converted into trade, investment, technology transfer and jobs.
The target of $5 billion in annual trade is not unrealistic, but it has been repeated often enough to risk becoming another diplomatic pleasantry. If it is to mean anything this time, both governments will have to examine the duller obstacles that actually hold trade back: narrow export baskets, tariff lines, customs delays, weak banking channels, certification barriers and logistics costs. Brotherhood may open political doors, but it cannot by itself move consignments, finance factories or create export orders.
The proposed special economic zone in Karachi for Turkish businesspeople is, therefore, the most concrete idea on the table. Karachi is the right place to attempt it because it sits at the centre of Pakistan’s port, industrial, services and logistics economy. It is also where weak governance can expose even a good idea. A Turkish SEZ cannot be reduced to land allocation or ribbon-cutting. It will need reliable power, predictable taxation, port connectivity, security, municipal coordination and a one-window system that works after the cameras leave.
Defence cooperation has already given Pakistan-Turkiye ties depth, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was right to call it one of the cornerstones of economic relations. Still, a relationship that remains too defence-heavy will underuse its potential. Turkiye’s experience in renewable energy, telecom infrastructure, software, agro-industry and manufacturing is particularly relevant for Pakistan because it combines Muslim-world affinity with middle-income industrial discipline, all the while adhering to European standards.
The proposed Pakistan-Turkiye digital corridor should be viewed in that light. Pakistan does not merely need another foreign telecom partner. It needs technology transfer, equipment manufacturing, 5G readiness, software collaboration and digital skills that can employ young people at scale. The same test applies to power-sector cooperation. If recent MoUs do not reduce losses, improve grid management or lower the cost of energy for industry, they will remain paper. Nothing more. Nothing else. *