Pakistan Proposes Special Economic Zone to Boost Turkish Trade

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed the establishment of the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi during celebrations for the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in Islamabad on October 29, 2026. Sharif urged Turkish business leaders to increase investment in Pakistan to help the two nations reach a bilateral trade target of 5 billion dollars.

During the event, Sharif praised Turkiye for its support during the May 2025 conflict with India, known as Marka-e-Haq. He also highlighted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 with Saudi Arabia as a critical milestone for regional stability and collective deterrence.

The diplomatic celebrations began on October 28, when Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the anniversary. Dar described the relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership built on mutual trust and shared history. President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also issued statements emphasizing the need to expand cooperation across trade, defense, and education.