ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to address the joint session of parliament in Pakistan today. He will also attend the Friday prayer congregation at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
The Turkish president arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit on Thursday.
He was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.
The visiting president is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior government functionaries.
He is also accompanied by heads and CEOs of leading corporations in his country.
“During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdogan will have tête-à-tête, after which they will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format,” Pakistan foreign office earlier said in statement on Wednesday, adding that “a number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be concluded. The two leaders will have a joint press stakeout.”
The Turkish president will separately meet with President Arif Alvi and address a joint session of parliament on Friday. He will also address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum jointly with PM Khan, which will bring together leading investors and businessmen from both sides.
“Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterized by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding,” the foreign office statement said. “The two brotherly countries have always been each other’s steadfast partners. Turkey supports the cause of self-determination for the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus.”
The foreign office noted that “both sides place a strong emphasis on forging a robust economic relationship.”
“There is also a joint resolve to translate historic amity into vibrant cooperation in diverse fields, including in the context of combating Islamophobia, promoting Islamic solidarity, and advancing shared goals of regional peace, security, and stability,” the foreign office said.
“The visit of President Erdogan will serve to underscore the traditional solidarity and affinity between the two countries, and prove to be another significant milestone in the further deepening and broadening of the flourishing Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership,” the statement read.