Defence and Martyrs Day of Pakistan commemorated in Turkey

ANKARA, 6 September 2021: Pakistan Embassy Ankara today organized an event to mark the Defence & Martyrs Day Pakistan.

In his remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Mr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, highlighted the significance of the Defence & Martyrs Day. He said that on 6 September 1965,  Pakistan’s valiant Armed Forces and the entire nation stood united to defend Pakistan and defeat an adversary much bigger than its size.

 

“Defence is a concept which is not just fighting in the field but also making sure that those who are fighting for us are provided the necessary moral and material support,” said Ambassador Qazi. He noted that with the strong support of the Pakistani nation to our valiant armed forces, there is no force on earth that can ever hurt, damage or destroy Pakistan. “We pledge ourselves to the defence of our dear homeland and will not hesitate from any sacrifice to uphold its freedom, independence and sovereignty,” he added. 

 

Earlier, Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Arshad Jan Pathan, and Defence & Air Attaché, Air Commodore Farooq Haider Tarer, read out messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan respectively. 

 

Pakistani leadership in their messages paid glowing tributes to Pakistan Armed Forces and the resilient Pakistani nation for their immense sacrifices. They noted that 6th September 1965 stands out in history as a symbol of courage, patriotism and commitment shown by the Armed Forces who displayed unprecedented bravery and professionalism, and thwarted the evil designs of the enemy. Pakistani leadership underlined that India has constantly perpetrated terrorism against Pakistan. They demanded that the world must hold India accountable for its rogue behavior. Pakistani leadership urged India to end its atrocities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and give Kashmiris their right to self-determination as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

Turkish Government further eases quarantine rules for travelers arriving from Pakistan

ANKARA, 3 September 2021: Turkish Government has further eased quarantine regulations for Pakistani nationals intending to travel to Turkey. Announced on 2nd September, these regulations will become effective from 4th September. 

Irrespective of vaccination status, all passengers will submit a negative PCR test result that should be made at most 72 hours before their entry into Turkey. 

 

As per the new regulations, passengers arriving from Pakistan who will have documentary proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be exempted from quarantine. Such vaccination should be of two doses approved by the World Health Organization (except for Johnson & Johnson which is a single dose). Quarantine exemption will be applied to those vaccinated whose last dose was administered at least 14 days before their travel.

 

Pakistani travellers who cannot provide a proof of vaccination will be quarantined in their residences or addresses that they will declare, tourists will quarantine at their booked hotels. They will be PCR tested on the 10th day of the quarantine period and in case of a negative result, quarantine application will be terminated.  The persons who do not take a PCR test on the 10th day will be kept under quarantine for 14 days.  In case the test results are positive, the case will be dealt with as per the guidelines of the Turkish Ministry of Health.

 

Before the Turkish Government announced these revised regulations, the Pakistan Embassy was in constant touch with the relevant Turkish authorities, sharing the status of vaccination and measures in place in Pakistan for controlling spread of COVID-19 infections. The Pakistan Missions in Turkey are available to assist our nationals to the best of our abilities.

Pakistan Askeri Akademisi öğrencileri Türk Kara Kuvvetleri Akademisinden mezun oldu

ANKARA, 2 Eylül: Kardeş Pakistan-Türkiye ilişkileri 30 Ağustos'ta Pakistan Askeri Akademisinden iki öğrencinin Ankara'daki Türk Askeri Akademisinden etkileyici bir törenle mezun olmasıyla yeni bir kilometre taşı olayına tanıklık etti. Her iki yeni mezun subay olarak görevlerine katılmak için bugün Pakistan'a ulaştı.

Bu Pakistanlı askeri öğrencilerin beş yıl süren eğitim programına ilk kez katılışıydı ama aslında Pakistan subayları daha önce Türk askeri akademilerindeki kurslara düzenli olarak katılmış ve bunun tersi de olmuştu.  Pakistanlı askeri öğrenciler Ankara’da 2015’de düzenlenen 13. Yüksek Düzeyde Askeri Diyalog Grubu toplantısı sırasında imzalanan anlaşma altında eğitim programlarına devam etti.  

 

İkili savunma işbirliği güçlü Pakistan-Türkiye kardeşlik bağlarının en üst derecesidir.  Her iki taraf, eğitimi, karşılıklı değişik ziyaretlerini ve savunma ekipmanlarının birlikte üretimini kapsayan güçlü bir savunma işbirliğine sahiptir.  

 

Mezun olan genç askeri öğrenciler Abdullah Nawaz Abbasi ve Ali Adeel Zafar konuşmalarında Türkiye’nin ne prestijli askeri kurumundan mezun oldukları için duydukları derin zevki ve onuru ifade ettiler.  Türk öğretmenlerine ve çalışanlara onları gelecekteki zorlukları karşılayabilecek olan gururlu askerler yaptıkları için şükranlarını ifade ettiler.  Pakistan-Türkiye kardeşliğini geliştirmek için sıkı biçimde çalışmaya yemin ettiler. 

Pakistan Military Academy cadets graduate from Turkish Land Forces Academy

ANKARA, 2 September: The fraternal Pakistan-Turkey relations witnessed another milestone on 30 August as two cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy graduated from the Turkish Military Academy Ankara at an impressive ceremony. Both the gentlemen cadets have reached Pakistan today to join their duties as officers of Pakistan Army.

 

This was for the first time that Pakistani cadets attended the five-years long training programme, although Pakistan military officers regularly attend courses in Turkish military academies and vice versa. The Pakistani cadets pursued their training programme under the agreement signed during the 13th High Level Military Dialogue Group meeting held in in Ankara in 2015. 

 

Bilateral defence cooperation is the hallmark of the strong Pakistan-Turkey fraternal ties. Both sides have strong defence cooperation covering training, exchange visits and co-production of defence equipment. 

 

The graduating young cadets Abdullah Nawaz Abbasi and Ali Adeel Zafar in their remarks expressed their immense pleasure and honour to have been graduated from Turkey’s prestigious military institution. They conveyed their gratitude to their Turkish instructors and staff for making them proud soldiers capable to meet future challenges. They wowed to work hard for promoting Pakistan-Turkey brotherhood.

President Erdoğan hosts President Dr. Arif Alvi

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted President Dr Arif Alvi in Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul on 15 August 2021. 

The Presidents were also accompanied by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Pakistan’s First Lady Mrs. Samina Alvi. 

The two leaders held wide-ranging talks and discussed further strengthening of bilateral relations through implementation of the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) that was signed in February 2020. 

 Both sides held detailed discussions on issues pertaining to Afghanistan. The two leaders discussed how Pakistan and Turkey could cooperate in dealing with the consequences of the extremely fluid situation in Afghanistan. 

Subsequent to the meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Erdoğan also had a discussion on the phone on developments in Afghanistan. 

 In his meeting with President Alvi, President Erdoğan also stated that he looked forward to hosting the meeting of the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Turkey this year.   

President Dr. Alvi apprised President Erdoğan about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and thanked him for Turkey’s consistent support on the matter. 

President Dr. Alvi is visiting Turkey upon the invitation of President Erdoğan to participate in the launching ceremony of the first of the four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy.

Telephone call between Turkish President and Pakistan Prime Minister

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Prime Minister Imran Khan today.  The two leaders reviewed the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan. 

The Prime Minister conveyed that Pakistan was extending facilitation in the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others in Kabul, as requested. 

The Prime Minister added that at the NSC meeting tomorrow the evolving situation would be further deliberated upon. The two leaders would consult again after the meeting with a view to coordinating their efforts. 

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to continue all efforts in support of an inclusive political solution in Afghanistan.

Islamabad , 15 August 2021

Presidents of Pakistan and Turkey participate in the launching of the 1st MILGEM Class Corvette for Pakistan Navy

Launching ceremony of the first MILGEM class corvette (PNS Babur) for Pakistan Navy was held today at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY). President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi and President of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan graced the occasion as chief guests.   

Mrs Samina Alvi, the First Lady launched the warship with a prayer. Both Presidents also jointly performed steel cutting of Akhisar, the offshore patrol vessel for Turkish Navy.   

Addressing the ceremony, President Dr. Arif Alvi said that both countries shared common objectives of promoting peace, stability and development in their respective regions. He highlighted that Pakistan and Turkey were further strengthening their cooperation across various spheres, particularly in defence, to deal with common challenges and new and emerging threats. 

 Thanking Turkey for construction of the PNS Babur within the timeline, the President emphasized that this project is a testimony of strong relations and expressed the hope that it would further boost defence collaboration between the two brotherly countries. President Dr. Arif Alvi lauded Turkey’s continuing support on Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support to Turkey on the Cyprus issue.   

In his address, President Erdoğan said that Turkey and Pakistan brotherhood and friendship is deep rooted in history and the people of Turkey have a special place in their hearts for Pakistan. He highlighted the enhanced collaboration between the two countries in various fields including defence production. He said despite the pandemic, Pakistan-Turkey bilateral trade is improving. He hoped that economic ties would further improve. President Erdogan stressed the need to closely work together to promote regional peace and stability including in Afghanistan.   

Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi, alongwith senior Turkish defence officials, including Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler and Commander of Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Adnan Özbal also attended the ceremony.   

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Niazi in his remarks lauded the great achievement of MILGEM project. 

Earlier, upon his arrival at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the President was received by Turkish President Erdogan and was presented a guard of honour. 

 The contract for four MILGEM Class Corvettes for Pakistan Navy was signed in 2018. Under the contract, two ships were to be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and other two at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. Induction of MILGEM warships in Pakistan Navy arsenal will augment Pakistan Navy’s capability and contribute in its efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Pakistan and Turkey have reiterated their desire to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, particularly defence.

Pakistan and Turkey have reiterated their desire to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, particularly defence. Both sides emphasized the need to work together to overcome the challenges being faced by the Islamic World. This was discussed during a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and the visiting Turkish Defence Minister, General (R) Hulusi AKAR, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr Islamabad on 11 August. 

Welcoming the Turkish Defence Minister, the President said that Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with Turkey as both countries had long history of fraternal relations, based on common faith, values and mutual trust. He stated that Turkey was a brother and great friend which had always supported Pakistan at difficult times. He thanked the Turkish leadership for supporting Pakistan at the international fora on issues of core national interest, such as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, FATF and NSG. 

The President appreciated the increasing defence cooperation between the two countries and expressed the hope that the signing of agreement on military training cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, during the visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan in February 2020, would further enhance defence cooperation between the two sides. He reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to Turkey on Cyprus. 

The meeting also exchanged views over the current situation in Afghanistan. The President informed that Pakistan was making sincere efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan as Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of peace which had suffered a lot due to prolonged war in the neighbouring country. The President also highlighted the human rights violations being committed by India against the Muslim population of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). He urged the International community to play its role to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. He deeply thanked Turkey for supporting Pakistan’s stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. 

The meeting also underlined the need for unity among the Muslim countries to address the challenge of animosity against Islam. General (R) Hulusi AKAR said that Pakistan was a brotherly country and Turkey wanted to enhance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in various fields, particularly defence. He said that Turkey would continue to support Pakistan on Kashmir. The Turkish Defence Minister delivered an invitation to President Dr Arif Alvi from his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to visit Turkey. 

Turkish Minister of National Defence calls on the Prime Minister of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, 11 August 2021: Turkish Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar, called on Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan today.

Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted historic fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey, marked by unique mutual trust and mutual support.

The Prime Minister conveyed his cordial greetings for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the brotherly Turkish people.

The Prime Minister also expressed deep concern over the forest fires in Turkey, reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity, and reiterated readiness to extend all possible assistance to help cope with this calamity.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the existing level of bilateral defence cooperation. Prime Minister Imran Khan also thanked for Turkey’s strong and consistent support to Pakistan on all issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

On regional issues, Prime Minister Imran Khan shared Pakistan’s perspective on the Afghan peace process. Underlining that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the Afghan leaders would recognize the importance of international convergence on the way forward and achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan will continue to make every effort to help advance the Afghan peace process and to realize a political solution.    

The Turkish Minister for Defence conveyed warm greetings from President Erdogan and reiterated Turkey’s support to Pakistan on all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. He concurred with Prime Minister Imran Khan on enhancing cooperation in all areas to the mutual benefit of both the countries, inlcuding in the defence field. He also underlined Turkey’s efforts to promote a political solution in Afghanistan.

Mr. Hulusi Akar is visiting Islamabad as part of frequent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Turkey for consultations on important bilateral and regional issues.

 

Turkish Government revises quarantine rules for current students and residence/work permit holders traveling from Pakistan to Turkey

 ANKARA, 6 August 2021: The Turkish Government has revised quarantine rules for travellers arriving from Pakistan.  

At the request of this Embassy and keeping in view the hardships faced by Pakistani students who will be joining their academic institutions in Turkey after summer break, they will be allowed to undergo the mandatory quarantine of 10 days at the designated dormitories instead of private hotels. This rule is effective from today till 1 September 2021. 

 

Students will be quarantined at the Higher Education Credit and Hostels Institution (KYK)’s Muhteşem Süleyman Dormitory in Istanbul and Tahsin Banguoğlu KYK Dormitory in Ankara. A valid student identification document showing that they study higher education in Turkey would be required. Pakistani students studying at universities based in provinces other than Istanbul or Ankara, will only be able to travel to the provinces where their registered universities are based after the end of the quarantine period in KYK dormitories in Istanbul or Ankara.

 

Those coming from Pakistan who have valid residence and work permit will be exempted from hotel quarantine and will spend their mandatory quarantine period in their residence. However, such persons will only be allowed to go to their residence by private vehicle and cannot use domestic flights or public transportation.

 

Other than current students and holders of Turkish residence or work permit, those coming from Pakistan for visit or tourism purposes, will be quarantined at the designated private hotels as per previous practice.

 

The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara conveys deep appreciation and gratitude to the relevant authorities who amended quarantine rules on our request. The Pakistan Missions in Turkey are available to assist our nationals to the best of our abilities.