Islamabad: Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to strengthen defence partnership and developed a common approach on Afghanistan and joint efforts for peace and stability in the region.
During the official visit, Turkey’s defence minister Hulusi Akar met Pakistan’s top leaders to discuss a range of issues especially the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
Hulusi Akar, who arrived in Islamabad a day earlier, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties as well as efforts for a political solution in Afghanistan.
Sharing Pakistan’s perspective on the Afghan peace process, PM Khan underlined that “a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward” and hoped that the Afghan leaders would jointly work to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement. Assuring his country’s support, “Pakistan will continue to make every effort to help advance the Afghan peace process and to realize a political solution.” PM Khan also expressed deep concern over the forest fires in Turkey and offered readiness to extend all possible assistance to help Turkish people cope with this calamity.
Akar is visiting Islamabad as part of frequent high-level exchanges for consultations on important bilateral and regional issues He also underlined Turkey’s efforts to promote a political solution in Afghanistan.
On late Tuesday, the Turkish defence minister met Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss defence and security cooperation between the two countries and regional security situation, focusing on evolving security situation in Afghanistan. Both sides restated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for peace and stability in the region. Akar “reaffirmed Turkey’s full support to Pakistan’s stance on regional and international issues.”
The Turkish defence minister also met Pakistan’s defence minister Pervez Khattak and minister for defence production Zobaida Jalal. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the current level of cooperation in the field of the defence industry and agreed to increase the partnership.
Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi also held a meeting with the Turkish minister and thanked Turkey for its strong and consistent support to Pakistan on all issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Hulusi Akar invited the Pakistani President on behalf of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Turkey. He said the two countries need to enhance cooperation in the defence sector, including military training.
