Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be in Pakistan from February 12-13, 2025, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and corporate leaders. His visit aims to enhance the already strong ties between the two nations and further strengthen multifaceted cooperation, according to the Foreign Office.

This marks President Erdogan’s first official visit to Pakistan following the formation of the new government in March 2024. During his visit, he will co-chair the 7th session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The session will conclude with a joint declaration and the signing of several important agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), the Foreign Office confirmed.

Erdogan’s visit will include bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and President Asif Zardari. The President will also address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, where prominent investors, companies, and businesspeople from both countries will gather to discuss opportunities for cooperation.

The HLSCC serves as the highest-level decision-making forum, responsible for providing strategic direction to enhance bilateral relations. It oversees several Joint Standing Committees (JSCs) that address sectors like trade, investment, banking, finance, culture, tourism, energy, defence, agriculture, transportation, IT, health, science, technology, and education. So far, six sessions of the HLSCC have been held, with the last one taking place in Islamabad in February 2020.

President Erdogan will be received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who personally invited him for this visit. First Lady Emine Erdogan will also be accompanying the Turkish President. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif will meet President Erdogan at the Prime Minister’s House.

A formal joint declaration will be issued at the end of the visit, with agreements expected in areas such as trade, defence, cultural exchange, and investment. Discussions are also anticipated to cover regional geopolitical issues and the enhancement of defence cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. In a rare gesture, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will salute President Erdogan with a flypast before a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House.

President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan follows his travels to Indonesia and Malaysia, after which he will return to Ankara. The visit will conclude with a banquet hosted by President Asif Zardari at the Presidency, marking the last engagement for Zardari in his current capacity.