Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Islamabad for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. The Turkish leader was warmly welcomed by senior Pakistani officials at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi early Thursday morning.
Upon arrival, President Erdogan was greeted by a host of dignitaries, including Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, and other key officials such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. The visit was marked by a ceremonial 21-gun salute, and Pakistan Air Force jets escorted Erdogan’s aircraft into the country’s airspace.
Accompanied by a high-level Turkish delegation, including his wife, the First Lady of Turkiye, President Erdogan received a warm reception. Two children dressed in traditional attire presented bouquets to the First Couple, and the airport ceremony featured a military band performance, with children waving both Turkish and Pakistani flags to signify the deep bond between the two nations.
President Erdogan’s visit is aimed at reinforcing the strong ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, with a particular focus on enhancing bilateral relations and economic collaboration. His high-profile delegation includes ministers, senior officials, and business leaders from Turkey.
This visit follows a brief meeting between President Erdogan and President Zardari at Istanbul Airport, where they discussed matters of mutual interest and deepening bilateral relations.
During the two-day trip, President Erdogan will co-chair the seventh session of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting will conclude with a joint declaration and is expected to see the signing of several important agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The leaders will also hold a joint press conference.
Additionally, President Erdogan will engage in separate meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and President Zardari. He will also address the Pakistan-Turkiye Business and Investment Forum, where leading business figures and investors from both nations will discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The HLSCC serves as the primary platform for strategic discussions between Pakistan and Turkiye, addressing key sectors such as trade, investment, defense, energy, agriculture, education, science and technology, and more. With six meetings already held, the upcoming session will further deepen the historic and brotherly ties between the two countries, boosting cooperation on multiple fronts.
