Pakistan, Türkiye discuss expanded energy cooperation as Ankara eyes offshore exploration

• Türkiye has widened its footprint in Pakistan, with its energy firms already operating in the country
• Turkish energy minister meets Pakistan’s army chief to explore avenues for strategic collaboration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector on Tuesday as army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who arrived in Islamabad a day earlier to push collaboration in various economic sectors including deep-sea drilling.

Pakistan is seeking foreign investment to help develop its oil, gas and mining sectors in a bid to ease severe energy shortages, reduce reliance on imported fuels and exploit underexplored reserves.

Türkiye has meanwhile broadened its commercial and strategic footprint in South Asia in recent years and already has several energy companies operating in Pakistan.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, with a particular focus on expanding Pak–Türkiye cooperation in the energy sector, strengthening bilateral ties, and exploring avenues for strategic collaboration,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement. “Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing partnership in areas of shared objectives and regional stability.”

The statement said the army chief highlighted the “deep-rooted and historic” relationship between the two countries and expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s support at international forums.

“Minister Bayraktar conveyed Türkiye’s desire to deepen cooperation across the energy domain and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts toward regional peace, stability and sustainable development,” it added.

Bayraktar’s visit follows his remarks last week that Türkiye is preparing to formalize a new energy accord with Pakistan covering offshore and onshore exploration.

“We’re preparing to sign our accord for Pakistan’s first deep-sea drilling project,” he told reporters. “Our cooperation will begin with exploration work in two onshore blocks and one offshore zone.”

Deep-sea drilling has never been carried out in Pakistan and has long been viewed as a high-risk frontier opportunity, with previous attempts stalling due to cost, technological constraints and shifting policy frameworks.

A formal Turkish commitment would mark one of the most significant foreign partnerships in Pakistan’s upstream energy sector in years.

Pakistan and Türkiye have also expanded security and defense cooperation through military training, joint exercises and high-level coordination.

Pakistan is acquiring four corvettes from Türkiye, two of which are being built at Karachi Shipyard with Turkish technical support.

Islamabad has also shown interest in Turkish-built armed drones and has collaborated with Ankara in areas such as avionics, propulsion and battlefield surveillance systems.