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Turkish companies will conduct joint offshore oil and natural gas exploration activities in Pakistan's waters, marking an unprecedented step in Turkish-Pakistani energy cooperation, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Fidan highlighted the agreement signed in April between Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and Pakistan's national oil companies.
"Thanks to this agreement, Turkish and Pakistani firms will be able to jointly explore oil and gas in Pakistan’s offshore zones—an unprecedented move in the history of Turkish-Pakistani energy collaboration," Fidan said.
"This is one of the outcomes of the more institutionalized approach we are working to establish," he added.
The cooperation stems from an April 2025 agreement between TPAO and three Pakistani national energy companies: Mari Energies, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL).
Under the deal, the companies will submit joint bids for selected offshore blocks when Pakistan launches tenders for 40 exploration blocks by June 30, 2025. The blocks include 14 in the Makran offshore basin and 26 in the Indus offshore basin.
"One Turkish and three Pakistani companies will submit joint offers for blocks they mutually agree upon," according to Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.
Fidan emphasized the broader scope of cooperation, including efforts to raise bilateral trade volume to $5 billion and expand joint work in mining, natural gas, oil, and rare earth elements.
"We are committed to institutionalizing our brotherhood into a strategic partnership," he said. "We are moving forward decisively in this direction."
Dar echoed the commitment to enhanced cooperation, highlighting sectors such as the economy, defense, energy, and infrastructure.
Fidan emphasized the importance of defense cooperation, stating: "We want to strengthen our defense industry cooperation in the coming period. This will be an extremely strategic step in terms of our countries' security."
Dar announced that Turkish companies will participate in the privatization of electricity distribution companies in Pakistan and that work is underway to establish dedicated special economic zones for Turkish entrepreneurs in Karachi and Istanbul.
“We are actively following up on benefiting from Turkish experience and expertise in ship breaking and storage and efficient use of agricultural water,” Dar said.
Dar also confirmed the revival of the long-dormant joint ministerial commission after 11 years. The new commission will be co-chaired by Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler.
"All this work will lay a solid foundation for the eighth high-level Strategic Cooperation Council, which will be held next year in Türkiye," Dar said.
Fidan highlighted joint defense efforts, calling it a strategic step for the security of both countries.
"These achievements are a source of pride for all of us," Fidan said. "We want to further strengthen our cooperation in the defense industry in the upcoming period."
Fidan also noted that the Türkiye Maarif Foundation operates over 80 schools in Pakistan, and its network will continue to expand.
Both officials stressed the importance of regional cooperation for peace and stability. Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and emphasized Ankara's condemnation of the June 28 terrorist attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
He also thanked Pakistan for its consistent support on the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and expressed optimism for deepening Pakistan–TRNC relations.
Touching on global developments, Fidan addressed recent Israeli strikes against Iran and warned that such aggression poses risks to the entire region.
"Pakistan and Türkiye both condemned these attacks at the highest level," he said. "This aggression undermines confidence in the international regime to prevent nuclear proliferation."
Fidan urged for diplomatic solutions and reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting peaceful negotiations, especially in cooperation with Pakistan.
Fidan lastly warned that attention must not be diverted from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Israel's attacks on Iran must not be allowed to divert international attention from the genocide in Gaza," he said.
Fidan also noted Türkiye's enduring support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan.
"Türkiye will continue to stand with the Palestinian people," Fidan said and concluded by saying: "Our friendship with our Pakistani brothers and sisters will continue forever."
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