Pakistan and Türkiye Strengthen Ties Ahead of Trilateral Defense Meeting

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul on August 30, 2026. The two officials expressed satisfaction with the expansion of bilateral relations across political, economic, security, and cultural domains.

Both ministers welcomed the progress achieved under the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and agreed to convene the council's next session as soon as possible. During their discussions on international and regional issues, they reaffirmed a joint commitment to regional peace and stability.

The bilateral meeting served as a precursor to a broader strategic engagement. Officials from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Monday for the first session of a political and defense committee. This committee was established under a recently signed Mecca defense pact. Pakistan will be represented at this strategic meeting by Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir.