ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye are poised to elevate their strategic partnership as they prepare to sign multibillion-dollar agreements this week in the energy and mineral sectors, marking a major breakthrough in bilateral cooperation.
A high-level Turkish delegation, led by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, will arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday to formalise partnerships in offshore exploration and mineral development. According to official sources, Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company (TPOC) and Pakistani exploration firms will sign a commercial agreement for the Eastern Offshore Block-C—an initiative recently cleared by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
Under the approved structure, TPOC will hold a 34% working interest in Block-C, while Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) and Mari Energies will hold 26% and 20%, respectively. The agreement is expected to pave the way for offshore drilling to begin next year. Officials credited Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik for facilitating the landmark collaboration.
In addition to offshore exploration, the Turkish delegation is expected to finalise a major mineral development deal. Sources indicated that Turkiye is seeking a mining lease on the same copper-gold belt in Balochistan where the Reko Diq project is located. With rising global interest in Pakistan’s mineral potential—spurred by progress on Reko Diq—Ankara’s participation is being viewed as a vote of confidence in the sector.
Industry analysts note that while some international firms have exited Pakistan in recent years due to bureaucratic hurdles, the entry of a prominent Turkish company could revive investor sentiment. TPOC has been selected as operator for Block-C after Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) was unable to commence work.
OGDC, one of Pakistan’s most active state-owned exploration companies, continues to expand its technological capabilities and global footprint, including exploration efforts in the UAE. Industry officials say collaboration with Turkish Petroleum will enhance Pakistan’s global energy presence and open new avenues for joint ventures.
Ahead of the delegation’s visit, Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Turkish Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu to finalise preparations. The meeting, attended by Secretary Petroleum Momin Agha and OGDC MD Ahmed Hayat Lak, reviewed the growing partnership between the two nations across petroleum, energy and mineral sectors.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the Turkish minister and his team. Their visit will play a transformational role in advancing cooperation in the energy and mining sectors,” Malik said.
Ambassador Neziroglu noted that a leading Turkish mineral company would also join the delegation, underscoring Turkiye’s strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s mineral resources.
Malik added that major Pakistani exploration firms—OGDC, PPL and Mari Energies—are collaborating closely with Turkish Petroleum, creating new opportunities that will strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation on the global energy stage.
Story by Zafar Bhutta
