Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Pakistan this week, following a significant meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in Istanbul. They discussed enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in counter-terrorism cooperation. Erdogan’s Asia tour aims to strengthen ties with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan while addressing various international issues affecting both nations.
Islamabad is set to welcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later this week. This follows a recent meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Erdogan during Zardari’s stopover at Istanbul airport. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, culminating in a prior agreement during the second round of Pakistan-Turkiye Counter-Terrorism Consultations held in Islamabad.
The discussions focused on combating terrorism by preventing financing, radicalization, and the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes. Both sides acknowledged the global and regional terrorism landscape, committing to enhance intelligence sharing and collaboration in counter-terrorism measures. Importantly, Turkey and Pakistan continue to conduct joint military exercises named “Ataturk,” which target counter-terrorism skills across various scenarios involving their special forces.
Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan marks the concluding segment of his four-nation Asian tour, which will also include Malaysia and Indonesia. His agenda will encompass fostering cooperation in numerous sectors while addressing pressing international issues, such as the Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This trip indicates the solid and evolving partnership between Pakistan and Turkey under Erdogan’s stewardship, which has reached unprecedented heights.
In summary, the impending visit of President Erdogan to Pakistan highlights the strengthening ties between the two nations, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts and broader cooperation on international issues. Their commitment to exchange intelligence and undertake joint military exercises underscores the priority placed on security. As both countries navigate their respective challenges with terrorism, their strategic partnership continues to evolve meaningfully.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
