ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye on Tuesday signed five major memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and deeds of assignment (DoAs) aimed at deepening cooperation in oil and gas exploration, mining, and future equity participation in Pakistan’s power sector. The agreements were formalised during the visit of a high-level Turkish delegation led by Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who witnessed the signing ceremony, welcomed the strengthening strategic partnership, calling the energy-focused agreements a “significant milestone” in long-standing Pakistan–Turkiye relations. He emphasised that both countries were committed to expanding cooperation in petroleum, minerals, and power generation sectors to meet shared economic goals.
Five Exploration Agreements Signed
The signed documents include deeds and agreements linked to major offshore and onshore petroleum blocks: the Eastern Offshore Indus-C, Ziarat North Block, Sukhpur-II Block, Deep C Block, and Offshore Deep F Block. These pacts formalise collaboration between Turkish Petroleum and Pakistan’s exploration companies, marking Turkiye’s expanded footprint in Pakistan’s energy sector.
The agreements follow the commitment made by Prime Minister Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in June 2022 to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion within three years. Trade currently stands at $1.4bn, reflecting consistent upward momentum.
Turkiye Eyes Mining, Infrastructure Investment
During the delegation’s engagements with PM Shehbaz, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Power Minister Awais Leghari, Minister Bayraktar said Turkiye was keen to pursue joint ventures in oil and gas exploration, energy infrastructure, and Pakistan’s booming mining sector.
He recalled participating in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Conference earlier this year and highlighted Pakistan’s “vast mineral potential”. Bayraktar revealed he had brought a Turkish mining company with him to initiate new ventures, calling the step “a milestone” in long-term cooperation.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources witness exchange of MoUs between Turkiye and Pakistan in the field of Petroleum.
(Islamabad: 2 December, 2025) pic.twitter.com/ujIpPBtYwq
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) December 2, 2025
Energy Companies Present New Opportunities
Senior officials from Mari Energies, OGDCL, and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd shared detailed briefings on existing and upcoming projects, including shale gas and tight gas prospects. They urged Turkish firms to explore joint ventures and technology partnerships to expand Pakistan’s domestic energy capability.
The delegation also announced that Turkish Petroleum’s Islamabad office will open this month, staffed with 10 Turkish nationals alongside local employees. Both sides further discussed forming a joint trading company to procure petroleum products collaboratively.
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Privatisation Opportunities for Turkish Investors
Power Minister Awais Leghari encouraged reputable Turkish private-sector energy firms to participate in the upcoming privatisation of Pakistan’s first three power distribution companies (Discos), for which expressions of interest will be invited soon.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to “unlocking the full potential” of Pakistan–Turkiye energy collaboration and agreed to maintain close ministerial-level coordination in the months ahead
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