Pakistan and Turkiye have expressed the firm resolve to strengthen their economic and defence ties.
The understanding came at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler at the foreign office in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Later, addressing a joint press stakeout along with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan appreciates Turkiye’s indigenization of defence industry from twenty percent to eighty percent in the last few years. He said Pakistan will like to benefit from Turkiye’s expertise and experiences in this field.
The Deputy Prime Minister said both the countries will further strengthen their cooperation for promotion of peace and stability in the entire region.
Ishaq Dar said the newly established joint committee on security, defence and intelligence is scheduled to meet on the 24th of this month in Islamabad while the committee on defence industry is scheduled to meet in the month of September.
He said Committee on trade and investment has already met last month while the committee on transport and communications is expected to meet next week.
The Deputy Prime Minister said both the countries are pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone dedicated for the Turkish entrepreneurs in Karachi. Istanbul-Tehran, Islamabad train is being revived. He said our delegations will be meeting in coming weeks to finalize the roadmap for its revival.
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has already allocated land for construction of Maarif school in Muzaffarabad.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Turkish companies are being considered for undertaking Jinnah Medical Complex and Daanish University Mega project in Pakistan. He said Turkish companies will also be participating in offshore drilling projects. He mentioned that Turkish companies would be participating in the privatization of DISCOs. He said we have also engaged in different activities including capacity building in counter terrorism.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan is also benefiting from Turkish expertise in shipbreaking and the efficient use of municipal and agricultural water.
Ishaq Dar reiterated that Pakistan considers Turkiye a trusted friend and a reliable brother. He said Turkiye has always stood by us, reaffirming that Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Turkish brothers and sisters.
In his remarks on the occasion, the Turkish Foreign Minister noted that both the countries have expanded their relations in the fields of economy, energy, defence, industry, education and culture.
Hakan Fidan mentioned that both the countries are aiming to increase their commercial relations to five billion dollars. He mentioned that they are also intensifying their cooperation in the field of energy including mining, precious stones, natural gas and oil.
The Turkish Foreign Minister said cooperation in the field of defence industry will be further strengthened in the coming days, emphasizing it is very important for the security of the two countries. He said it is a strategic step.
He said both the countries will continue to support each other on counter terrorism.
Referring to the recent Pakistan-India tension, the Turkish Foreign Minister was appreciative of Pakistan’s wisdom oriented attitude.
He expressed the firm resolve to take Pakistan-Turkiye relations to a higher level.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a fruitful and productive meeting with Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler in Islamabad today.
They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy strong bonds of brotherhood, friendship and mutual trust. Both countries will continue to stand united for peace, prosperity and progress in the region and beyond.
