Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit Pakistan later this week as part of a three-nation tour across Asia aimed at deepening ties with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The tour, which begins today in Malaysia, will continue to Indonesia and conclude with Erdogan’s stop in Pakistan.
During his four-day trip, Erdogan will engage in discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including defense, trade, and current global issues such as the Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan marks the continuation of strengthened relations between the two countries, which have reached new heights under his leadership. Notably, the two nations have significantly expanded their defense collaboration, including agreements for the purchase of Turkish-made naval vessels and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Pakistan was the first country to sign a deal for Turkey’s MILGEM naval project.
The Turkish president’s previous visit to Pakistan in February 2020 aimed to reinforce the strategic partnership and boost economic ties between the nations. Erdogan’s upcoming visit is expected to further these efforts.
In other news, former President Asif Ali Zardari met Erdogan on Monday during a brief stopover at Istanbul Airport while traveling to Portugal. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and mutual interests during their meeting. Zardari is in Portugal to offer condolences on the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan and meet with his son, Prince Rahim Al-Husseini, the new hereditary imam.
