ISLAMABAD: Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here today and discussed means to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Turkish Interior Minister congratulated PM Imran Khan on behalf of Turkish leadership on assuming the office. Visiting minister conveyed Turkish President’the s felicitation message to the Prime Minister.
Assuring all possible support of Turkey to Pakistan he invited PM Khan to visit Turkey. Imran Khan also extended an invitation to the Turkish President and Turkish leadership to visit Pakistan.
Relevant: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said Turkey holds a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis who deeply admire Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and recent socioeconomic achievements under its present visionary leadership. He said this while welcoming Interior Minister of Turkey Süleyman Soylu, who called on him here at the PM Office.
Pak-Turkey bilateral relations and ways and means to further enhance mutual cooperation in diverse areas including security, border management, immigration, and anti-terrorism were discussed during the meeting.
Turkish interior minister felicitated Imran Khan, on behalf of the Turkish leadership and on his own behalf, on being elected and assuming the office of the prime minister.
He conveyed the message of felicitation and best wishes from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the prime minister.
He said the Turkish leadership admires the vision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan for democracy, education, and justice.
Discussing the issues of terrorism and regional peace, the Turkish interior minister appreciated the efforts and sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory of the Pak-Turkey bilateral relationship and mutual cooperation existing between the two countries.
He offered to share of Pakistan’s expertise and experience in dealing with the issue of terrorism that not only threatened the peace of a country but the entire region.
He also highlighted various steps being taken by the country to deal with the issue of money laundering and illegal immigration.
The Turkish interior minister said Turkey would provide all possible assistance to Pakistan in dealing with the issue of money laundering.
The two leaders also agreed upon the need to put in place a robust mechanism to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.
The Turkish interior minister invited the prime minister to visit Turkey.
The Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed his best wishes for the Turkish president and leadership and extended invitation to President Erdogan and his Cabinet members to visit Pakistan.
The Turkish interior minister was accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Ismail Çatakli, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Deputy Commander of Turkish General Command of Gendarmerie Lt Gen Ali Çardakçi, Director General Migration Management Abdullah Ayaz and Head of the EU Affairs and Foreign Relations Department Savas Ünlü.
Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi, Secretary to Prime Minister Azam Khan, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Interior Secretary Maj (R) Azam Suleman and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.
Relevant: Pakistan and Turkey Monday agreed to make collaborative efforts to fight terrorism and prevent elements financing subversive activities.
The both sides expressed their resolve to control terror financing in a meeting between State Minister for Interior Shahryar Khan Afridi and a Turkish delegation headed by Interior Minister of Turkey Suleyman Soylu.
Underlining the need for taking urgent measures in this regard, the two countries discussed matters pertaining to mutual cooperation and coordination.
During the meeting, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi informed his counterpart that several measures were being taken by Pakistan to stop terror financing and determined to get rid of the menace.
The sacrifices and performance of the Law Enforcement Agencies were unparallel he said and added their armed forces were fully equipped to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.
Pakistan has sacrificed over 70 thousand lives and faced the economic losses in tune of billions of dollars in the war against terrorism.
Terming both countries resolve against terrorism unprecedented, the minister said they were facing identical issues on different front for which collective efforts were required.
Turkish interior minister lauded the efforts and achievements of Pakistan against terrorism, saying “Terrorism is cancer”.
Pakistan and Turkey had to enhance their coordination against the menace, he added.
He assured Shehryar Afridi for his country full support against terrorism and cybercrime in future.
He also offered to provide facilities to the Pakistani Police for their training.
Shehryar Afridi said both countries enjoyed their relations on a religious, historical and spiritual basis and assured his counterpart for strengthening their ties in Naya Pakistan.
