Islamabad: Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to bolster their cooperation in the energy sector, with a particular focus on renewable energy initiatives. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and a nine-member delegation led by Turkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, at the PM House.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and expressed optimism that the recent visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan would further enhance their economic ties. He expressed gratitude to Turkiye’s Minister of Energy and his delegation for their participation in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Summit.

“There are vast opportunities available to expand economic relations between the two countries,” the prime minister remarked, highlighting the potential for collaboration in offshore oil and gas exploration as a means to strengthen economic ties.

The Turkish delegation acknowledged the ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector and expressed appreciation for the country’s efforts to make it more attractive for investment. Turkiye’s Minister of Energy stated that his country would share its successful experiences in energy reforms and privatization, particularly in the power sector, with Pakistan.

Moreover, the Turkish Minister expressed a keen interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector, especially in the exploration of rare earth minerals. He noted that the Pakistan Minerals Investment Summit had provided valuable insights into the potential of this sector.

The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Power Awais Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and senior government officials.