Buttressing Pak-Turkish linkages

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Buttressing Pak-Turkish linkages​

Shanzeh Iqbal


The relations between Turkey and Pakistan are entrenched deeply. Both the countries share a common vision on many regional and international issues. The relations are based on mutual respect, trust and interest. The two countries face the same challenges and a common cultural heritage. Turkey has acknowledged on many forums the sacrifices offered by the Pakistani nation and its army in waging a war on terror. Turkey has rendered an unflinching support to Pakistan. Times have proved it. Turkey always came all out for Pakistan’s assistance in the hour of distress. Tayyip Erdogon was the first foreign head of state when Pakistan was in the tight hold of the most calamitous earthquake in 2005. Turkey provided Pakistan 150 million dollars for rehabilitation works. Likewise in the aftermath of the flood of 2010, which caused colossal wreckage, it was the first country which started building of prefabricated home villages for flood affected people in the recent scenario.

Turkish model is indeed a role model worth follow suit as the Turkish nation hates corruption in all forms. Its politicians think for the wellbeing of their beloved country and the fellowmen also cherish the same vision. Significant economic growth of Turkey in the previous couple of years is a good example for Pakistan to pursue. Turkey has also supported Pakistan in bringing stability in Afghanistan and for holding the regional summits and Turkey Afghanistan Pakistan Tripartite Summit. The fourth summit on January 25, 2010 was intended at reestablishing the cordial relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also tried to ensure the solidarity of cooperation ventures.

In order to amplify the business ties Pak Turkish CEO’s Forum went on increasing cooperation in the areas of power, agriculture and mining. In October 2009 the Turkish PM came to Pakistan on a two day visit. PM Gillani and Mr Erdogon decided to boost their strategic partnership to fight militancy and to congeal the political, diplomatic and economic cooperation. Both signed a joint declaration in trade investment, agriculture, industry, culture, education and defense and to increase people to people contacts. The Focus was also laid on increasing interaction between the intelligence agencies to get rid of terrorism, illegal arms trafficking and terrorist groups. In 2009 an MoU was signed under which the business community was given exemption from visa requirements.

The Businessmen from the two countries with valid documents were allowed to visit and stay in each other countries without visa for 90 days. In the same year Pakistan went ahead with the Islamabad Tehran Istanbul international freight train service. This service was supposed to be operated as pilot project of Economic Cooperation Organistaion. Pakistan Turkey joint Ministerial Commission meeting agreed to enhance the volume of trade to US $2b by 2010.CEO Forum was hosted by Turkey’s Foreign Economic relations Board in Istanbul in January 2010. Punjab Chief Minister said on this platform that Pakistan considers the performance of Turkey as the best model. CEO Forum is intended to help evaluate the potential of private entrepreneur. Turkey’s private corporations have invested markedly in industrial and construction projects, highways, pipelines, canals, fields of energy, infrastructure, textile, engineering goods, mining and agriculture. In January 2010 Pakistan and Iran agreed to start a $20 b project to upgrade a railway link from Islamabad to Istanbul as a means of transporting cargo from Pakistan to Turkey. With the help of this 5 year project 11 days journey would be reduced to almost 4 days between the two cities. It will connect Pakistan with European countries through Turkey. The President Zaradri conferred Nishan-e- Pakistan,the highest of civil awards, on President Gul in April 2010 when he came on his visit to Pakisan and the honourary degree in International Relations by the Quaid-E-Azam University Islamabad. Earlier in October 2009 the President of Pakistan had conferred the same award on Tayyip Erdogan in recognition of his visionary leadership and his outstanding contributions in strengthening Pakistan-Turkey relations.

In July 2010 a defense delegation met the Turkish president in Ankara. There was expressed a need to increase Pak Turkish joint defense projects Pakistan Defense delegation led by the Defense Minister, Ahmad Mukhtar. The Turkish leadership showed a deep interest for multi role combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder. Turkey and Pakistan have decided in October 2010 to materialize ideas of currency swap which will facilitate business, trade and commerce and upgrade the existing railway track between the two countries via Iran. It is a step ahead in ensuring the speedy transportation of cargo and would open new vistas of opportunities for the people. Moreover it will also lead to economic uplift and bring forth sustainable bilateral relations. It is also a step in furthering the mutual cooperation.

Turkey’s initiative of developing a common Asian policy and helping Pakistan in making powerful the relations of Pakistan with Central Asian Sates must be appreciated. A multidimensional mechanism must be devised to address the regional issues as the unique geo strategic position of both can be vocal in bringing peace and prosperity. There is also a need for establishing framework of preferential trade with Turkey. It will open doors for free trade agreement. Currently Pakistan is exporting rice, sesame seeds, leather, textile, sports goods to Turkey and Turkey exports wheat, chickpeas, lentils, chemicals, transport vehicles etc.

Both the Turkish PM and the President have articulated the resolve that Turkey wants to invest on permanent basis to help infrastructure of Pakistan. The lukewarm political relations can be very favorable to yield good economic benefits obliging to both the countries. Strategic partnership as a result will lead to a win win position. The sectors where the government has to work include increased corporate sector cooperation, greater people to people contacts, exchange of students, media and intellectuals. Along with this transport, telecommunications, energy, water, public diplomacy and other industries are the areas where the attention must be focused. We must take advantage of the existing potential of Turkey. This can be a way to avert the looming shadows of misfortune hovering over the economy of Pakistan.

Buttressing Pak-Turkish linkages