Highlights Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals, investor-friendly policy framework
PM Shehbaz meeting with a delegation of Calık Holding led by the Group’s Chairman Mr. Ahmet Calık in Istanbul. Photo: X
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a series of meetings with senior executives of Turkiye’s leading business groups and industry organisations in Istanbul, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and attracting greater Turkish investment across key sectors of the economy, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The premier arrived in Istanbul on Friday on a bilateral visit to Türkiye at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with discussions set to focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and regional security.
According to the PMO, the prime minister met Calık Holding Chairman Ahmet Calık, Albayrak Group Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmet Albayrak, and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.
During the meetings, the prime minister underscored the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye and emphasised the importance of translating the two countries’ exceptional relationship into a stronger economic and investment partnership, the PMO said.
He highlighted Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals, investor-friendly policy framework and the government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, predictable and business-friendly investment environment.
According to the PMO, the prime minister invited Turkish companies to expand their investment footprint in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including energy, mining and minerals, infrastructure, maritime and logistics, information technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, agriculture and privatisation.
Read: PM in Istanbul on bilateral visit
He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), working in close coordination with the relevant federal and provincial authorities, continued to provide one-window facilitation and institutional support for strategic investors.
During his meeting with Çalık Holding, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s opportunities in energy, infrastructure, information technology and privatisation, according to the PMO. He also welcomed the company’s interest in expanding its operations in Pakistan, saying its existing presence through Calık Enerji and GAP İnşaat provided a strong foundation for deeper cooperation.
In his meeting with Albayrak Group, the prime minister appreciated the company’s longstanding engagement in Pakistan and encouraged it to further expand its investments in maritime infrastructure, port modernisation and logistics, recognising its contribution to Pakistan’s connectivity and infrastructure development, the PMO said.
According to the PMO, the prime minister also met TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoglu and appreciated the organisation’s continued efforts to strengthen business-to-business engagement between Pakistan and Turkiye. He proposed establishing a structured institutional mechanism for regular interaction between the private sectors of both countries and invited TOBB to lead a high-level business delegation to Pakistan to explore emerging investment opportunities firsthand.
The Turkish business leaders appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s economic reforms, improving investment climate and investor-friendly policies, according to the PMO. They expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook and reaffirmed their interest in expanding investments and developing long-term partnerships across a range of strategic sectors, contributing to the growing economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye.
