We value our brotherly relations with Turkey: COAS

We value our brotherly relations with Turkey: COAS. The Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Mehmet Pacaci met the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of regional security situation, mutual and professional interest with special emphasis on defence and security collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey came under discussion during the meeting.

The COAS said that we highly value our brotherly relations with Turkey which are deeply rooted in history and entrenched in our cultural and religious affinities.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role for regional stability and pledged to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

Pakistan–Turkey relations refers to the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Turkey.

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Pakistan has an embassy in Ankara, a Consulate-General in Istanbul and an honorary consulate in İzmir whereas, Turkey has an embassy in Islamabad, a Consulate-General in Karachi and honorary consulates in Lahore, Peshawar, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

As of 2016, in a joint communique, Pakistan and Turkiye plan to strengthen their close ties into a “strategic partnership”.

Relations date back generations before the establishment of the two states, more precisely during the Turkish War of Independence when the Muslims of the northwestern British Raj sent financial aid to the declining Ottoman Empire, which was followed by the formation of the Turkish Republic and the Independence of Pakistan.

Additionally, the countries share historical Islamic ties, as the Muslims living under the British Raj deemed the Ottoman Sultan as their Caliph, and the Caliph of Islam and all Muslims.

As a result, Pakistan and Pakistanis have enjoyed a positive perception in Turkey and amongst Turks for many decades.

Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close cultural, historical and military relations which are now expanding into deepening economic relations as both countries seek to develop their economies.