Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in Turkey on Tuesday along with a high-level delegation on a three-day official visit.
The Prime Minister was received by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and senior government and diplomatic personnel at Ankara Esenboa Airport.
A contingent of the Turkish Army salutes the Prime Minister, who is on his first visit to Turkey after taking office.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Defense Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Information and Broadcasting Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Investment Board Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Special Assistants to Prime Ministers Tariq Fatemi and Fahd Hussain.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in the Turkish capital yesterday and was received by Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin. Later he will again join the Prime Minister’s delegation.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will hold a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which will be followed by delegation-level talks.
The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues apart from discussing Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations. They will also address a joint press conference after their meetings.
The Prime Minister will hold extensive talks with leading Turkish businessmen and potential investors from diverse sectors.
He will also participate in the Pakistan-Turkey Business Council Forum organized in collaboration with the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board.
A business delegation from Pakistan comprising representatives of leading companies in various sectors will also participate in the business activities.
PM Shahbaz will also visit the mausoleum of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and release a commemorative plaque with President Erdogan on the completion of 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
‘Support on all issues’
Earlier, the premier lauded the “exemplary” relationship between Pakistan and Turkey, saying the countries support each other on all issues of core interest, including disputes related to occupied Kashmir and Northern Cyprus.
He commented. did in Interview with Turkish media outlets anadolu agency Ahead of his three-day tour of the country.
In the interview, PM Shahbaz said that Pakistan and Turkey have always stood by each other for the last 75 years. “These historical ties are firmly based on common religious, cultural and linguistic ties and transcend political changes on both sides.”
He said that the two countries had common views on regional and international issues and cooperated closely in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.
He also thanked the Turkish leadership for its in-principle support on the Kashmir issue.
The Prime Minister said that the cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries are moving upwards, with Pakistan now focusing on increasing economic cooperation.
“The current level of bilateral trade is still not a true reflection of the excellent state of our relations. This is also an area where there are immense opportunities for both countries. During my visit here, I have been meeting major Turkish trading companies. Utilize the immense opportunities that exist in Pakistan in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, e-commerce, municipal agro-based industries and IT sectors etc.”
trade with india
Responding to a question about trade with India, Prime Minister Shahbaz said that Pakistan and India “have a lot to gain from mutually beneficial trade”.
However, Pakistan had decided to downgrade relations with India after August 5, 2019, when it revoked Kashmir’s special autonomy, he recalled.
“We are aware of the economic dividend that can accrue from a healthy trade activity with India. However, in view of the continued brutality of the Kashmiri people, attempts to change the demographic composition of the occupied territory, and the continued denial by India of the rights of Kashmiris to the imagination It is difficult to do that progress can be made on the business front.”
He further said that India will have to take the responsibility of normalizing relations by re-thinking its decision of August 2019 and creating a conducive environment for dialogue.
pakistan-america relations
When the premier was questioned about Pakistan’s place in the United States’ policy on the Asia-Pacific region, he said the two countries had a “longstanding and extensive relationship”.
He said Pakistan wants to deepen and broaden its ties with the US, adding that the country is the largest export market and a major source of investment and revenue.
He said that there is a lot of potential to take the trade, commercial and investment aspects of this relationship even further.
The prime minister also urged American companies to invest in Pakistan, especially in the information technology sector.
PTI invited to discuss charter of economy
Prime Minister Shahbaz insisted that the PML-N-led coalition government does not believe in “polarization of any kind”. He said the current government is made up of “almost all” political forces of the provinces except the PTI.
“I believe in political adjustment and dialogue. For this reason, I have invited all political forces, including PTI, to sit together and agree on a charter of the economy. It is important for Pakistan to break the boom and bust cycle and achieve economic stability. To achieve this, it is important that all political forces operate on minimum rules of the game that ensure the continuity of economic policies and provide an enabling environment for this purpose.
“While we are aware of the danger of political polarization, we are working to promote political dialogue and engagement.”
Stabilizing the economy has been the priority of the PML-N government since coming to power in April, he said, adding that Pakistan is facing several challenges including external financial pressure, inflation and rising food prices.
“We are paying the price of the indecision of the previous government, for example, failure to procure fuel on time and absence of strategic stockpile of essential commodities, which was followed by higher price purchases. This affected poor people.”
However, the present government was focusing on improving the socioeconomic indicators especially for the weaker section of the society, he said. He further said that the government is working on strict monetary policy, reduction in fiscal deficit, relief package for the poor and creation of strategic stockpile of essential commodities.
“We are hopeful that the IMF (International Monetary Fund) will release the next tranche, which will instil confidence in the international market for investment in Pakistan, thereby easing the pressure on foreign exchange reserves.”
CPEC
Prime Minister Shahbaz said that Pakistan fully supports the five-pronged approach of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with emphasis on physical connectivity, financial cooperation, trade facilitation, policy consultations and people-to-people ties. Is.
“With the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), we have successfully realized the shared vision of our countries and the ideals of BRI. With CPEC entering a new phase of high-quality development, our Belt and Road cooperation is the key to Pakistan’s development. Will accelerate industrial and economic modernization.
“Pakistan is committed to the high-quality development of CPEC, which includes improving Pakistan’s railway infrastructure and fully realizing the potential of Gwadar Port,” he said.
‘Talks with Afghan government needed’
The premier also said that it was a necessity and not a matter of choice to engage with the interim government in Afghanistan.
“The world cannot spare the Afghan people. It must take responsibility for addressing the country’s humanitarian crisis and fragile economy immediately,” he said, and warned that the “complete collapse” of its economy would hurt Afghans, Pakistanis and the international community. would be disastrous. ,
“The outflow of refugees and international terrorism from an unstable Afghanistan serves no one’s interests,” he cautioned.
“Pakistan is also insisting on the interim government to fulfill its international commitments that the country will not be used for terrorism, that girls and women should be able to receive education, and that they form an inclusive government.” The international community must continue to engage with them on these commitments.”
Asked whether the Afghan government had given assurances that its land would not be used against Pakistan, Prime Minister Shahbaz replied, “The current authorities in Kabul have repeatedly assured us as well as the wider international community. that they will not allow their land.Can be used against any country.
“They have also committed to take strong action against all terrorist organizations and to remove all safe havens from their territory.”
The premier said he hoped the Afghan government would stick to its commitments.