Pakistan, Turkey hold high-level military talks on defense cooperation

Pakistan and Turkey discussed strengthening defense and military cooperation during high-level talks in Islamabad on Friday, as the two allies reviewed regional security challenges and prospects for closer strategic coordination.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Force, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Turkey’s Chief of the General Staff, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, at Pakistan’s military headquarters, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

General Bayraktaroglu was received at the General Headquarters (GHQ) with a guard of honor by a contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, the evolving regional and global security environment, and avenues for expanding bilateral defense and military collaboration. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in Pakistan–Turkey relations and underscored the importance of enhanced coordination between their armed forces.

Field Marshal Munir highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared history, mutual trust and strong people-to-people links. He thanked Turkey for its continued support and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening military-to-military cooperation.

General Bayraktaroglu, in turn, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. He reiterated Turkey's commitment to expanding defense engagement, particularly in the areas of training, joint exercises and capacity-building initiatives.

The visit reflects the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey, which have maintained close political, economic and defense ties, and comes as both countries seek stronger collaboration amid shifting regional security dynamics.