Pakistan have very long lasting relations with the brotherly democratic Turkiye from its independence. In very ear both countries have made their relations stronger in strategic support and as well as in socioeconomic developments that makes their bound stronger to meet with the challenges of the future.
The Turkish president .MR. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on two days official visit to Pakistan. If we look at the direct trade between Pakistan and turkey, its less than 1000 million dollars. in 2023 both countries signed free trade agreement and in the same year turkey exported $550 million to Pakistan while Pakistan exported $ 450 million to turkey which is very less for well populated countries. The notable thing is that these imports and exports are cotton products, lighting, and furniture and prefabricated buildings or other less expensive things those are not enough for boosting the trade between the two brotherly countries.
Therefor it is the need of the time that both nations could enhance their trade by boosting their railway cargo which almost come to Pakistan once in a year which means that trade between the two countries needs more enhancement to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the both sides.
It is good omen that with the visit of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan both side very interested to enhance the two way trade. According to the news reports the Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday arrived at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad where he was warmly greeted.
This formal reception marks the beginning of his official visit, during which he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to strengthen bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted President Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan with full state protocol upon their arrival.
The prime minister introduced the visiting president to members of his federal cabinet, with each member greeting Erdogan individually.
Later, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and warmly greeted him on his official visit to Pakistan.
In a further show of respect, President Erdogan was honored with a spectacular fly past by F-16 fighter jets, adding to the grandeur of his visit.
Erdogan arrived in Islamabad late on Wednesday on a two-day visit to Pakistan during which he would hold bilateral meetings with the Pakistani leadership and address the Pakistan-Turkiye Business and Investment Forum.
Erdogan was accorded a warm welcome at the Nur Khan Airbase. He was received by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, Deputy Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior government officials.
A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of President Erdogan, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation. The Pakistan Air Force jets escorted Erdogan’s special aircraft as it entered Pakistan’s airspace, adding to the significance of the visit.
Two children, dressed in traditional attire, presented bouquets to President Erdogan and the First Lady. The welcome ceremony also included a performance by the military band, while children waved the flags of both Pakistan and Turkey.
During his visit, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will co-chair the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations. Erdogan will also engage in bilateral meetings with both Prime Minister Sharif and President Zardari.
It is hoped that strategic visit of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan will bring more stability in both countries. It should be remember that, freight train between Islam Abad, Tehran and Istanbul could play vital role in enhancing the trade and if it should add also passenger’s car it will be also an opportunity of the masses of the both countries to have fun from the tourism also. Therefor the leadership of both sides should further makes more ties of free trade along with the strategic point of view that will lead the both nations towards more development and prosperity.
