Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara to discuss regional security and issues of mutual interest. This visit aims to reinforce the longstanding strategic and defence relationship between Pakistan and Turkey.
Upon his arrival, Field Marshal Munir received a warm welcome, reflecting the deep-rooted brotherly ties shared by the two nations. During his stay, he engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Turkish political and military leaders, including Defence Minister Yasar Guler, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional security challenges.
At the Turkish General Staff headquarters, Munir was honored with a guard of honor and held detailed discussions with Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. The talks centered on regional security dynamics and professional military collaboration. In recognition of his efforts to strengthen military ties, General Bayraktaroglu awarded Field Marshal Munir the Turkish Armed Forces Distinguished Service Medal.
Additionally, Munir visited the Turkish Land Forces headquarters, where he met with Commander General Metin Tokel. He also paid homage to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, by laying a floral wreath at Anıtkabir, underscoring the historical and visionary leadership that binds the two countries.
This visit highlights the commitment of Pakistan and Turkey to deepen their multifaceted defence partnership and collaborate on maintaining regional peace and stability. The two countries maintain strong strategic, political, defence, and economic links, with recent developments including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with President Erdogan in Istanbul, where they pledged to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Turkey continues to support Pakistan’s defence capabilities by constructing corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy, upgrading F-16 fighter jets for the Pakistan Air Force, and sharing drone technology. Earlier this year, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey drafted a defence agreement after extensive negotiations, although no formal pact has been signed yet. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of broader regional cooperation and trust to resolve regional issues.
