ISLAMABAD: Turkiye’s Minister of National Defence Yasir Golkar arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday evening for an official visit aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and reaffirming the longstanding bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye.
Upon arrival, the Turkish minister was warmly received by Pakistan’s Additional Secretary (West Asia), Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani.
During his official visit to Pakistan, key matters of mutual interest will be discussed, the spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The visit highlights the close brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a long history of friendship, the spokesperson.
During his stay, the Turkish minister will hold formal talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office on Wednesday, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, local media reported.
Diplomatic insiders, cited by local media, say this visit comes at a time of growing strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Ankara, especially in light of recent regional tensions.
Turkiye has strong ties with Pakistan and expressed solidarity with it during its military conflict with India in May, angering India.
“India has already voiced concern over Turkiye’s support for Pakistan during the May war,” a source said as quoted by a local media outlet, hinting at New Delhi’s unease over strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye defence ties.
The visit is expected to focus on bilateral defence collaboration, regional security, and broader geopolitical coordination between the two countries.
The Turkish minister’s visit is expected to affirm the exceptional nature of the political ties between Turkiye and Pakistan.
The Turkish minister is also expected to underline the need to strengthen defence industry cooperation between the two countries in light of the evolving regional security environment and emphasise the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and counterterrorism, Turkish media reported.
