Islamabad: In a move to fortify bilateral relations, Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, focusing on both offshore and onshore exploration as well as critical minerals. This development emerged from a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, held at the Ministry of Petroleum.

Minister Malik extended gratitude to Türkiye for its steadfast support during the India-Pakistan conflict, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations. He conveyed appreciation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and noted President Erdogan’s open affection for Pakistan. The Minister underscored the potential benefits of joint ventures and technology transfers in the petroleum and mineral sectors.

Ambassador Neziroglu echoed the sentiments of camaraderie, emphasizing the historical bond between the countries and the refreshed understanding among their youth. He acknowledged Pakistan’s handling of regional tensions and reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening ties, particularly in energy and mining.

In a significant development, Turkish Petroleum Corporation has been awarded two onshore blocks in Pakistan’s recent bidding round. The Ziarat North block in Balochistan and the Sukhpur-II block in Sindh have attracted joint ventures involving both Pakistani and Turkish entities. Moreover, a Joint Bidding Agreement has been executed with Pakistani companies for an upcoming offshore bid round in 2025.

Both parties expressed optimism about future collaborations, aiming to expedite joint exploration projects and cooperation in critical minerals, which are essential for industrial growth. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to fostering economic growth through enhanced energy partnerships.