Pakistan, Türkiye sign several agreement to boost relations

Pakistan, Türkiye sign several agreement to boost relations as President Erdogan is on an official visit to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed multiple agreements on Thursday across various sectors to enhance the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.

President Erdogan landed in Islamabad shortly after midnight and was welcomed by PM Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari in Rawalpindi. During his two-day official visit, both Pakistani leaders are scheduled to engage in discussions with him.

Upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, Erdogan received a warm reception with a guard of honor. A contingent of the armed forces presented the salute, and the national anthems of both countries were played, as reported by state-run Radio Pakistan.

Following the signing ceremony, PM Shehbaz warmly welcomed President Erdogan, calling Pakistan his “second home.” He expressed his delight at the visit, highlighting the deep bond between the two nations. The prime minister also thanked Turkiye for its unwavering support during natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, stating that Erdogan’s visit had further strengthened the brotherly relations between both countries.

President Erdogan, in response, expressed gratitude for the hospitality and noted that during the seventh session of their council, both nations agreed to enhance their cooperation. He announced the signing of 24 agreements and MoUs covering trade, water resources, agriculture, energy, culture, family and social services, as well as science, banking, education, defense, and health.

He further shared that before the council meeting, he and PM Shehbaz held in-depth discussions not only on bilateral relations but also on regional and global issues. Earlier, at the Prime Minister’s House, Erdogan was received by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, and the Turkish president was honored with a military salute, which included a formation of three F-16 fighter jets.

Before the formal talks, PM Shehbaz introduced his cabinet members to President Erdogan, including Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

Similarly, President Erdogan introduced members of the Turkish delegation to PM Shehbaz. As part of the visit, the two leaders also planted a sapling at the Prime Minister’s House, symbolizing their growing friendship.