Prime Minister Imran Khan receives call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

ISLAMABAD, 25 May 2020: Prime Minister Imran Khan received a telephone call from President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, today.

President Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan exchanged greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. 

President Erdogan offered condolences on the tragic crash of airplane in Karachi and reiterated Turkish nation’s strong support to its Pakistani brethren in this difficult time.

The two leaders further agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation against COVID-19 pandemic to jointly address the situation. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed the Turkish President on the steps taken to control the spread of Coronavirus in Pakistan. He thanked President Erdogan for providing valuable medical equipment, which was reflective of historic linkages between the two countries to help each other in times of need.

The Prime Minister, while discussing the long term economic repercussions of COVID-19, said that a comprehensive coordinated plan of action on debt relief and restructuring was needed to stave off socio-economic turbulence. The Prime Minister highlighted his call for “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for developing countries aimed at helping them cope with the challenges.

Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed President Erdogan on the worsening human rights situation in IOJ&K accentuated by double lockdown and intensified military crackdown. He also shared Pakistan’s concerns on India’s moves to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, while the world was preoccupied with fighting the  pandemic. 

The Prime Minister also apprised him of the demonization of Muslims in India in the context of COVID-19, which should be rejected by the international community.

Presidents of Pakistan and Turkey exchange eid greetings

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan called President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi on 24 May 2020 and extended best wishes of the government and people of Turkey for the people of Pakistan on the occasion of blessed Eid-ul-Fitr.

Exchanging greetings on Eid al-Fitr, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues as well as cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

Important announcement for Pakistani students in Turkey

ANKARA, 6 April 2020: The Embassy of Pakistan Ankara as well as the Consulate General Istanbul are in close contact with the local Pakistani community members as well as Pakistani students in Turkey to ensure their safety and welfare in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are fully cognizant of the concerns being raised by some Pakistani students in Turkey, in particular with regard to the suspension of flight operations. We will once again urge patience and understanding of the entire Pakistani student community in Turkey in view of the unprecedented global challenge that has impacted all countries.

The Embassy would like to reiterate its earlier advisory to all Pakistani students to follow the local safety regulations, and strictly avoid any travel. Embassy’s previous advisories to the students in this regard are available on its official website (http://www.pakembassyankara.com) as well as twitter handle (@PakTurkey).

In this regard, we take note of a news item published by a newspaper in Pakistan on stranded Pakistani students in Turkey in which a couple of Pakistani students were quoted as claiming that they were advised by the Consulate General Istanbul to travel from another city to board the special PIA flight on Friday, 3 April.

The Embassy would like to clarify that the Pakistani nationals repatriated on the special PIA flight on Friday included tourists and visitors on short-term visas as well as Pakistanis who had earlier been left stranded at the Istanbul International Airport after suspension of flight operations. Contrary to the claims, no Pakistani student in Turkey was advised to travel to Istanbul to board the special flight.

There are currently no further updates regarding any special flight operations to Pakistan. All Pakistani students are requested to follow the official twitter handle of the Embassy of Pakistan - @PakTurkey – for any information with regard to the resumption of flight operations to Pakistan or any related development.

The Embassy, moreover, is in touch with the local universities to help address certain practical difficulties being faced by some of our students as a result of the recent safety and health regulations/measures, and reported disruption of some campus services. The Embassy would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to several Turkish universities for their support in helping address many of these issues, including through provision of alternative accommodation to many students after the closure of some university dormitories.

Pakistani students are requested to use the following emergency helpline numbers and email addresses to bring to Embassy’s notice any problems being faced by them at their respective universities so that they may be taken up appropriately:

Embassy of Pakistan Ankara, Telephone +90 531 496 6399, +90 537 367 9845 Email parepankara@mofa.gov.pk , parepankara.consular@yahoo.com, parepankara@yahoo.com

Consulate General of Pakistan Istanbul, Telephone +90 533 022 4695, +90 552 634 3774 Email parepistanbul@mofa.gov.pk, consulgeneral@pakconsulateistanbul.com

Pakistan Embassy Ankara holds flag-hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the National Day of Pakistan

ANKARA, 23 March 2020: To commemorate the National Day of Pakistan, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held today at the Embassy of Pakistan Ankara.

In due deference to the local regulations pertaining to public gatherings in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, the event was attended by the Embassy officials only.  

The Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Mr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, raised the Pakistani flag to the tune of the National Anthem of Pakistan. 

The messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were also read out on the occasion in which rich tributes were paid to the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Poet of the East, Dr. Allama Muhamamd Iqbal as well as all other leaders of the Pakistan’s independence movement. 

Pakistan’s unshakable solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for their legitimate right to self-determination was also reiterated on the occasion. 

Pakistan-Turkey fraternal ties re-affirmed during the visit of Pakistan Navy Ship to Turkey

Gölcük, 5 March 2020: Pakistan Navy Ship YARMOOK is currently making a port call in Turkey on its transit to Pakistan. The ongoing visit symbolizes the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkey as well as ever-growing cooperation between the two sides in the area of defense. 

PNS YARMOOK was extended a very warm welcome by the Turkish Navy upon its arrival and was escorted from Bosphorus to Gölcük Naval Base by Turkish coast guard. During the ongoing visit, the Commanding Officer PNS YARMOOK called on Turkish Navy Fleet Commander, Surface Fleet Commander, Gölcük Naval BaseCommander and the Mayor of Gölcük. During these interactions, he conveyed the warm sentiments of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi NI(M), for the people of Turkey in general and the Turkish Navy in particular. He also conveyed his gratitude for the whole hearted support provided by the Turkish authorities for PNS YARMOOK’s port call. Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and Pakistan Navy’s role in ensuring global maritime safety and security were also highlighted during these meetings.

During these interactions, the two sides expressed their satisfaction at the ongoing bilateral cooperation and reiterated their commitment towards continue strengthening their relations in all areas of common interest. 

A reception dinner was hosted onboard PNS YARMOOK on 4 March 2020 in which the Fleet Commander Turkish Navy, Vice Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu,  Ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, and senior officers of Turkish Navy as well as representatives of  Turkish defence industries participated.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Syrus Sajjad Qazi said that Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed unparalleled fraternal relations and have always stood by one another in the face of all challenges. He welcomed the ever-expanding defense cooperation between the two sides and assured Pakistan’s continued support for Turkey’s legitimate security and humanitarian concerns in the region. 

Commanding Officer PNS YARMOOK in his remarks on the occasion highlighted the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K). He also condemned India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IOJ&K in contravention of the international law and called for the resolution of dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan-Türkiye kardeşlik bağları Pakistan Donanması Gemisinin Türkiye ziyareti sırasında yeniden teyit edildi

Gölcük , 5 Mart 2020: Pakistan Donanması Gemisi YARMOOK Pakistan’a transit geçişi sırasında şu anda liman ziyaretinde bulunuyor.  Devam eden bu ziyaret Pakistan ve Türkiye arasındaki tarihi ve kardeşlik bağlarını sembolize etmenin yanı sıra iki taraf arasında savunma alanındaki her zaman büyüyen işbirliğini de temsil ediyor.  

PNS YARMOOK varışı üzerine Türk Donanması tarafından çok sıcak bir şekilde karşılandı ve İstanbul Boğazı’ndan Gölcük Deniz Üssüne kadar Türk sahil güvenliği tarafından eskortluk edildi.  Süregiden bu ziyaret sırasında, PNS YARMOOK’un komutanı Türk Donanma Filosu Komutanı, Yüzey Filosu Kumandanı, Gölcük Deniz Üssü Komutanı ve Gölcük Belediye Başkanını ziyaret etti.  Bu etkileşimler sırasında, Pakistan Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanı Amiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi NI(M)’in genel olarak Türk halkı için ve özelde Türk Donanması için beslediği sıcak duyguları ifade etti.  Kendisi aynı zamanda PNS YARMOOK’un liman ziyaret sırasında Türk yetkililer tarafından gösterilen yürekten destekler için şükranlarını ifade etti.  Pakistan’ın terörle mücadelede gösterdiği fedakarlıklar ve Pakistan donanmasının küresel denizcilik güvenliğini sağlamak için rolü de bu görüşmeler sırasında vurgulandı.  

Bu etkileşimler sırasında, iki taraf devam eden ikili işbirliği üzerinde tatmin olduklarını ifade etti ve ortak çıkar alanlarındaki ilişkilerini güçlendirmeye yönelik olarak bağlılıklarını yeniden ifade etti.  

PNS YARMOOK’un güvertesinde 4 Mart 2020’de bir yemekli resepsiyon verildi ve Türk Donanması Filo Komutanı Tümamiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Pakistan Büyükelçisi Sayın Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Türk Donanmasının kıdemli subayları ve Türk savunma sanayisi temsilcileri katıldı.  

Bu olay üzerine konuşan Pakistan’ın Türkiye Büyükelçisi Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Pakistan ve Türkiye’nin benzersiz dostluk ilişkilerinin keyfini çıkarttığını ve tüm zorluklara karşı her zaman yan yana durduklarını söyledi.  Kendisi iki taraf arasında hep büyüyen savunma işbirliğini memnuniyetle karşıladı ve Türkiye’nin bölgedeki meşru güvenlik ve insani meselelere Pakistan’ın devamlı desteklerinin güvencesini Verdi. 

PNS YARMOOK’un komutanı konuşmasında Hint İşgalindeki Cammu ve Keşmir’deki (İoK) çok kötü insan hakları ve insani durumu vurguladı.  Kendisi Hindistan’ın uluslararası hukuka aykırı olan 5 Ağustos 2019 İoK kararlarını lanetledi ve anlaşmazlığın ilgili BM Güvenlik Konseyi kararlarına göre çözülmesi çağrısında bulundu.  

Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination / President Pakistan Sports Board attends 3rd International Ethnosport Forum in Antalya

ANTALYA, 22 February 2020: On the invitation of Mr.Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu Minister of Youth and Sports of Turkey and Mr. Nejmeddin Bilal Erdogan, President of World Ethnosport Confederation; Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination / President Pakistan Sports Board is attending 3^rd International Ethnosport Forum in Antalya, Turkey. The event is being attended by delegates from 49 countries and 10 Sports and Youth Ministers are participating in the event. During her speech, Dr. Fehmida Mirza highlighted the role of Government of Pakistan in the field of modern and ethnosports under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She updated the forum on the steps being undertaken to promote sports activities in Pakistan and es

tablish international linkages with foreign sports bodies and federations. She invited the participating Ministers to attend the forthcoming Shandoor Polo Festival being organized in Pakistan during July 2020. The Minister emphasized on the importance of introducing adjudication system to avoid tailoring and customizing sports rules.

The Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Turkish Minister of Sports and Youth and discussed various possibilities of enhancing cooperation in sports and youth between the two countries. After the meeting, a ‘Cooperation Program on Youth & Sports for the years 2020-23’ was signed. Both the sides agreed that the implementation of MOUs and agreements in Sports field should be ensured. 

On sidelines of the event, the Minister held a meeting with Mr. Nejmeddin Bilal Erdogan, President World Ethnosport Confederation who is organizing the event. Mr. Erdogan who considers Pakistan a true friend accepted the invitation of Minister for IPC to visit Pakistan.  

Events mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in Turkey; Indian atrocities condemned & Kashmiris’ right to self-determination reiterated

ANKARA, 5 February 2020: Events to commemorate the Kashmir Solidarity Day were held today in Turkey in an expression of strong support for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris living in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K).

Pakistan Embassy Ankara & Pakistan-Turkey Cultural Association co-organized a Kashmir Solidarity Day event in Ankara which was attended by a large number of Turkish Parliamentarians, representatives of several Turkish political parties, local media, think-tanks, as well as a huge turnout of the Pakistani diaspora and students in Turkey.

Messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Kashmir Solidarity Day were read on the occasion.

In his statement, Ambassdor of Pakistan to Turkey, Syrus Sajjad Qazi said that India was perpetrating the most brutal and unforgivable crimes against Kashmiris in IOJ&K by sealing them off from the rest of the world. He added that it was time for the international community to step in and play its moral and legal responsibility towards the Kashmiris. He stated that UN Security Council’s recent consultations on Jammu & Kashmir re-affirm its disputed status, and show growing concern of the international community. He thanked Turkey’s principled support on the issue and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue providing all possible political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris at all forums.

The event was also addressed by the Chairman of the Grand Unity Party and Member of the Parliament, Mr. Mustafa Destici; Chairman of the Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Association, Burhan Kayatürk; and the President of Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE), Mr. Muhammet Savaş Kafkasyali, among other. The speakers underscored the need for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions for lasting peace and stability in South Asia. 

Separately, a seminar was also co-organized by Pakistan Embassy Ankara and Turkish think-tank Economic and Social Research Center (ESAM) to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. 

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassdor of Pakistan said that Jammu & Kashmir dispute was one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council. He said that the relevant UNSC resolutions were a legal guarantee against any unilateral change in Jammu & Kashmir’s disputed status. Indian illegal actions of 5 August 2019 were a blatant violation of UNSC resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements. He called for upholding the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris and for ending gross violations of human rights forthwith. 

The event was also addressed by President of ESAM Mr. Recai Kutan and the Chairman of Saadet Party, Mr. Temel Karamollaoglu. 

An event to express solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir was also held at the Consulate General of Pakistan Istanbul in which a large number of members of the Pakistani diaspora participated. Speaking on the occasion, the participants expressed solidarity with the people of IOJ&K; called on international community to uphold Kashmiris’ right to self-determination; and put pressure on Indian to end its atrocities.

YTB Symposium on “Pakistan-Turkey Relations: Past to Present”

ANKARA, 1 February 2020: The Turks Abroad and Related Communities Presidency (YTB), in coordination with Pakistani students in Ankara, organized a “Symposium on Pakistan-Turkey Relations: Past to Present”, on 1^st February 2020, in Ankara, Turkey.

The Symposium was attended by Mr. Yalcin Topcu, Head Advisor to the President; Mr. Metin Gundogdu, Member of Parliament from Ordu (AKP); H.E. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey; Mr. Murat Kazanci, Head of Cultural and Social Affairs of YTB; Turkish and Pakistani Professors; Pakistani students as well as students of other nationalities; members of Turkish intelligentsia; representatives from Think-Tanks; besides others.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, H.E. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, remarked that, while 2020 marks 73 years of the establishment of Pakistan-Turkey Diplomatic Relations, the fraternal ties between the two peoples go back several centuries. Turkey and Pakistan are important members of the international community including the Muslim World, and have a history of speaking up for the cause of truth and justice, globally, the Ambassador said. In addition, the two countries have always stood by one another under the most difficult and challenging circumstances, he further added. 

Highlighting the Kashmir cause, the Ambassador thanked the Turkish leadership and people for standing by Pakistan, on international forums, particularly in raising its voice for the right of self-determination of the people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir. 

Head Advisor to the President, Mr. Yalcin Topcu, said that “Pakistan and Turkey are kara gun (all-weather) friends, and are like stars of the same sky”. Pakistan and Turkey are two friendly and brotherly countries, who support one another in the most difficult times, and the economic, political and cultural relations of the two countries are increasing day by day, he added.

He concluded his speech with the remarks that; “the founder of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah, was one of the most important statesmen of the Islamic world. He and the national poet Allama Muhammed Iqbal, gathered 1.5 Million Muslims to support the Turkish brothers' struggle for independence. I commemorate them with mercy and gratitude”.

Dr. Hatice Celin from SDE think-tank; Dr. Cemil Kutluturk, Dr. Haroon Muzaffar, and Students from Cozum College, Ankara, also spoke on the occasion. 

“Pakistan-Türkiye İlişkileri üzerine YTB Sempozyumu: Geçmişten Bugüne”

ANKARA, 1 Şubat 2020: Yurt Dışındaki Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı (YTB) Ankara’daki Pakistanlı öğrencilerle koordinasyon içerisinde 1 Şubat 2020’de Ankara, Türkiye’de “Pakistan-Türkiye İlişkileri Üzerine Sempozyum: Geçmişten Bugüne” adlı biro lay düzenledi.  

Sempozyuma Cumhurbaşkanlığı Baş Danışmanı Sayın Yalçın Topçu, AKP Ordu Milletvekili Metin Gündoğdu, Pakistan’ın Türkiye Büyükelçisi Ekselansları Syrus Sajjad Qazi, YTB Kültürel ve Sosyal İşler Başkanı Murat Kazancı, Türk ve Pakistanlı profesörler, Pakistanlı ve diğer milletlerden öğrenciler, Türk aydınları, Düşünce Kuruluşu temsilcileri ve diğer kişiler katıldı.  

Bu olayda konuşan Pakistan’ın Türkiye Büyükelçisi Ekselansları Syrus Sajjad Qazi, şunu belirtti ki, 2020 yılı Pakistan-Türkiye Diplomatik İlişkilerinin kuruluşunun 73. yılıdır ve iki halk arasındaki kardeşlik bağları birkaç yüzyıl öncesine kadar gider.  Büyükelçi Türkiye ve Pakistan, İslam Dünyası da dahil olmak üzere uluslararası topluluğun önemli birer üyesidir ve küresel olarak bahsedildiğinde, gerçek ve adalet davaları bakımından bir geçmişe sahiptir diye konuştu.  Bunun yanı sıra, iki ülke her zaman en zor anlarında birbirlerinin yanında durmuşlardır diye de ekledi.  

Keşmir meselesine dikkatleri çeken Büyükelçi, uluslararası forumlarda Pakistan’ın yanında durdukları için Türk liderlerine ve halkına teşekkür etti, özellikle Hint İşgalindeki Cammu ve Keşmir halkının kendi kaderlerin belirleme hakları için seslerini yükseltmeleri nedeniyle.  

Cumhurbaşkanının Baş Danışmanı Sayın Yalçın Topçu dedi ki “Pakistan ve Türkiye kara gün dostlarıdır ve aynı gökyüzünün yıldızları gibidir.”  Pakistan ve Türkiye en zor zamanlarında birbirlerini destekleyen iki kardeş ve dost ülkedir ve iki ülkenin ekonomik, siyasi ve kültürel ilişkileri günden güne artmaktadır diye ekledi.  

Kendisi konuşmasını “Pakistan İslam Cumhuriyetinin kurucusu Kaid-I Azam Muhammed Ali Cinnah İslam dünyasının en önemli devlet adamlarından birisiydi.  O ve ulusal şair Muhammed İkbal Türk kardeşlerinin bağımsızlık mücadelesini desteklemek için 1.5 milyon Müslümanı bir araya getirdi.  Kendilerini rahmey ve şükranla anıyorum” diye bitirdi.  

SDE Düşünce Kuruluşundan Dr. Hatice Çetin, Dr. Cemil Kutlutürk, Dr. Harun Muzaffer ve Ankara Çözüm Koleji öğrencileri de bu olay üzerine konuştu.