ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye discussed regional security and ways to expand defense cooperation during a visit by the commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Pakistan’s military said on Thursday, amid a series of high-level engagements between Islamabad and foreign military leaders.
General Metin Tokel, commander of the Turkish Land Forces, met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s chief of army staff and chief of defense forces, at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
The visit comes as Pakistan has hosted several senior military delegations in recent days, including Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal and Bahrain National Guard Commander Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, reflecting Islamabad’s deepening defense engagement with regional and international partners.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual professional interest, regional security dynamics, and avenues for enhanced bilateral defense cooperation were discussed,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic ties between the two countries and appreciated the strong defense partnership between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Türkiye,” it added.
Pakistan and Türkiye maintain a close defense relationship, with cooperation spanning the army, navy and air force. The two countries regularly conduct training exchanges and have expanded collaboration in defense production and procurement in recent years.
Tokel was presented a guard of honor upon arrival at the army headquarters.
He also visited Naval Headquarters and Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where he met Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, underscoring the breadth of military cooperation between the two countries across all three services.
“The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged its contributions toward regional peace and stability,” the ISPR said.
He also expressed commitment to further enhancing defense cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries, according to the statement.
