ISTANBUL, Türkiye — September 26, 2026: A 37-member Pakistani business delegation made a strong representation of the country at the 21st MÜSİAD EXPO, held from September 23 to 26 at the Istanbul Expo Center, Türkiye.
The PIBF Global Delegation participated in the exhibition, the 29th International Business Forum (IBF) Conference, and a series of diplomatic and business meetings aimed at strengthening commercial ties and expanding opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
The delegation was led by Sohail Aziz, Director of PIBF Global and President of PIBF Karachi, while Muhammad Aamir Rafay served as Chief Coordinator of the PIBF Global Delegation for MÜSİAD EXPO 2026.
The delegation included industrialists, exporters and young entrepreneurs from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Sialkot and other parts of Pakistan.
MÜSİAD is a major private-sector business organization in Türkiye, with nearly 60,000 members and chapters in 79 countries, according to the delegation. Around 42 countries participated in the 29th IBF Conference.
Pakistan Proposes Hosting IBF Conference in 2029
During the conference, the Pakistani delegation proposed that Pakistan host the IBF Conference and associated international business activities in 2029.
The proposal was presented in view of Pakistan’s historic connection with the IBF, with the first IBF Conference having been held in Pakistan in 1995.
According to the current schedule, the IBF Conference is expected to be held in Syria in 2027 and Türkiye in 2028, while Pakistan’s proposal for 2029 is under consideration.
At the IBF Board of Governors meeting, Sohail Aziz highlighted Pakistan’s economy, export sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the potential of the country’s young business community.
He also presented a vision to expand Mera Brand Pakistan into a broader international platform for Muslim brands.
PIBF invited IBF and MÜSİAD chapters from around the world to participate in the Grand Mera Brand Pakistan Expo, scheduled for January 22–24, 2027, at the Karachi Expo Center.
Meetings Focus on Trade and Investment
During the Expo, the Pakistani delegation presented shields to Pakistan’s Consul General Foja Khurram, the IBF Chairman, MÜSİAD President Burhan Özdemir, and other dignitaries.
On the final day of the exhibition, the delegation also held a special meeting with MÜSİAD General Secretary Mehmet Çakmak.
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye trade relations, organizing joint exhibitions and exploring investment opportunities.
PIBF said its participation in the Istanbul event had created opportunities for greater international exposure for Pakistani products, export networking for SMEs and the expansion of Mera Brand Pakistan at the international level.
The organization said that structured platforms and sustained follow-up could help Pakistan’s business community expand its presence in international markets and strengthen commercial links across the Muslim world.