Turkish, Pakistani officials talk defense cooperation

By Amir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan

Turkish and Pakistani officials on Thursday discussed defense cooperation in Rawalpindi, a northern city of Pakistan.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar met Prime Minister Imran Khan at his office.

According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Khan said: "We admire the socio-economic progress made by Turkey under the visionary leadership of President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan."

Akar felicitated Khan on being elected as prime minister of Pakistan and conveyed greetings from Erdogan, the statement added.

He said that the Turkish leadership looks forward to Khan's visit to Turkey which would help further strengthening of existing ties between the two countries, the statement concluded.

The Turkish minister also met Zubaida Jalal, Pakistan's federal minister for defense production, to discuss issues of mutual interest, particularly ways to improve defense cooperation, said a statement by the Pakistani ministry.

Jalal appreciated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his policies on robust relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

She also thanked Akar for active participation of Turkish defense industry in IDEAS 2018 Expo held in Karachi last month.

Jalal thanked the Turkish government for cooperation in the areas of health and education in Balochistan, a restive southwestern province.

Akar also met Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa at the army headquarters.

They exchanged views on issues of mutual interest including defense and security cooperation, said a statement from the army's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations.

Earlier, the Turkish minister laid a floral wreath at the Monument of Martyrs. He was presented the guard of honor by a contingent of soldiers.

Akar arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night on a two-day visit.

Ankara and Islamabad have developed strong bilateral ties, especially in defense and security fields, in recent years.

In July this year, Ankara won a multibillion-dollar tender to supply four corvettes to Pakistan Navy -- a deal dubbed as the biggest export for Turkey’s defense industry in history by then-Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli.

In May 2017, Turkish and Pakistani defense companies struck another deal for the construction of four Turkish Ada class MILGEM (National Ship) corvettes.

According to the agreement, two ships will be built in Istanbul and two others in Karachi.