President Asif Ali Zardari met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Istanbul airport, where they discussed improving bilateral ties and counter-terrorism efforts. Zardari later expressed condolences in Lisbon for the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan. The two countries aim to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism through renewed consultations while Erdogan prepares for a visit to Pakistan as part of an Asian tour.
President Asif Ali Zardari recently met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a brief stopover at Istanbul airport while en route to Portugal. The leaders discussed the enhancement of bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation during a separate meeting in Islamabad. The collaboration is viewed as pivotal given both nations’ commitment to combating terrorism.
Following the meeting with President Erdogan, Zardari proceeded to Lisbon, where he extended condolences to Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini over the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan. In his message, President Zardari expressed the shared sorrow of the Pakistani people, recognizing the late Aga Khan as a cherished friend and influential philanthropist who significantly contributed to Pakistan’s progress in health, education, and community development.
Efforts to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation were reiterated by both Pakistan and Turkiye, emphasizing the need to tackle terrorism financing and radicalization. This understanding emerged during the second round of the Pakistan-Turkiye Counter-Terrorism Consultations, marking a renewed commitment to sharing best practices and intelligence in fighting terrorism.
Counter-terrorism remains a critical aspect of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye, alongside trade and defense relations. Both nations have faced significant terrorism threats; Pakistan grappling with insurgencies in Balochistan and Turkye dealing with Kurdish separatism. Joint military exercises known as “Ataturk” exemplify their collaborative approach to counter-terrorism training.
President Erdogan is scheduled to visit Pakistan later this week as part of a broader three-nation tour in Asia, which includes stops in Malaysia and Indonesia. The focus of the discussions will be on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, alongside addressing pressing international issues such as the Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In summary, the engagement between Presidents Zardari and Erdogan highlights the longstanding commitment of Pakistan and Turkiye to bolster their bilateral ties, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts. The anticipated visit by President Erdogan encapsulates the continued dedication to enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, affirming the importance of both nations’ strategic partnership in navigating contemporary global challenges.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
