Pakistan and Turkey have a long history of relations, for centuries the hearts of the people of both countries have been beating for each other.

There is a golden formation of culture between the two, which is constantly getting stronger.  Recently, the Turkish drama, "Ertugrul Ghazi", has gained immense popularity in Pakistan. This drama has not only made Pakistanis aware of Turkish history and culture but also further strengthened the social relations between the two countries. The Pakistani people became more familiar with Turkish civilization and history and a new collaboration began between the two nations.

  Almost every Pakistani ruler has tried to take relations with Turkey to new heights. Currently, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is in Islamabad and is finalizing new agreements in the fields of trade, investment, banking, finance, defense, energy, agriculture, IT, health and education. Delhi is watching his visit to Pakistan with deep and worrying eyes. According to Indian media, Turkey's deep defense relations with Pakistan are worrying for India. Recently, Pakistan signed a deal to purchase Turkish ships, further enhancing their defense partnership.

In January, the two countries also held naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, reflecting their growing military cooperation.  The US media is also viewing the visit in the same vein. It is also believed that Washington will closely monitor the ongoing defense production cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey after the visit. In fact, the Turkish army, which is the largest and most powerful army in the Middle East. Among its strongest branches is the Turkish navy. The Turkish army has 425,000 active personnel and 380,000 additional reservists. Turkey's growing influence as a dominant power in Syria is evident. If we consider the relationship between Pakistan and Turkey in defense matters, it begins with the word "Urdu". Urdu is a Turkish word. Which means army. The hearts of the Muslims of the subcontinent were so attached to the Ottoman Caliphate that in the early twentieth century, a huge movement started here in support of it, which was called the Khilafat Movement. This was for the Caliphate of the Ottoman Empire and slogans kept resounding here like "Boli Aman Muhammad Ali Ki, Jaan Beta Khilafat Pe De Do" After the formation of Pakistan, during the tenure of President Ayub Khan, the defense relations between Pakistan and Turkey became very strong. Several agreements were signed between the two countries.

Joint military exercises were organized to further strengthen the defense relations and assistance was provided in each others military training.  The two countries took several important steps to increase trade relations. Pakistan increased the supply of agricultural products, especially wheat and rice, from Turkey, and Turkey provided industrial machinery to Pakistan. During this period, both countries tried to harmonize their trade policies so that mutual trade could increase. Turkey always supported Pakistan internationally, especially in the tension with India and the Kashmir issue.  Cultural relations between Pakistan and Turkey also increased during Ayub Khan's tenure. The people of both countries respected each other's culture and traditions and participated in each other's cultural programs. Turkey sent teachers to Pakistan's educational institutions, and Pakistan provided scholarships to Turkish students. In addition, the two countries promoted their exchange of arts, music, and literature, which continued continuously. It is expected that the current visit of the Turkish President to Pakistan will build a new building on the old foundations of the relationship between the two countries. That is, a new era will begin. It is welcome to note that joint efforts are being to strengthen mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in various fields, especially trade, investment, technology and defense sector and to bring the bilateral trade volume to the level of five billion dollars annually. Last year, the Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Ahmed Babar had visited Turkey on the special invitation of the Turkish Presidency and attended the graduation and flag hoisting ceremony at the Turkish Air Force Academy as a special guest.

 The participation of the Chief of Pakistan Air Force in the ceremony is a testament to the long-standing friendship between the two air forces.  Air Chief Marshal thanked President Erdogan for inviting him to the Turkish Defense University ceremony and expressed the continued solid partnership of Pakistan Air Force with Turkish Air Force. The Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force said that we intend to jointly develop Turkey's indigenously developed 5th generation national fighter jet Qaan and in this regard, joint production of 5th generation fighter jets with Turkey. The project is being discussed with the Turkish authorities. During his visit to Turkey, he  had expressed determination to continue cooperation with Turkey in bilateral technology sharing and joint production and development of 5th generation fighter jets.  The endeavours  will strengthen the existing relations between the two brotherly countries. Pak-Turkiye trade endeavors also need to be balancing. Pakistan and Turkiye are close friends as they share various common grounds like they exercise same religion and are have also cultural affinities.  Most importantly, Turkiye has always been supporting Pakistan during testing times at international fronts like the crucial FATF meetings, but the previous government of PTI failed to make efforts to translate this Turkish support into an easing of trade policy between the two states.

Turkish Govt is eager to invest in Pakistan in which cooperation in other fields including trade was agreed. The Prime Minister also recently invited the Turkish companies to expand their investments in Pakistan and invited the Turkish President to visit Pakistan.