President for expanding Pakistan-Turkiye trade, strengthening economic, strategic cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari, Wednesday, called for further strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye relations with a focus on achieving the mutually agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade, expanding investment and enhancing cooperation in strategic and emerging technology sectors.

He was talking to Amna Baloch, Ambassador-designate of Pakistan to Turkiye, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.

While congratulating her on her appointment the president acknowledged her successful tenure as foreign secretary and said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding relations with Turkiye, rooted in shared values, cultural affinities and mutual aspirations for peace and prosperity.

He further emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, livestock, mining, ship-breaking, information technology, defence industries and special economic zones.

He also called for closer collaboration between universities, greater people-to-people exchanges and the promotion of cultural ties and tourism, including through Turkiye’s expertise in the sector.

The president asked the ambassador-designate to maintain close engagement with the Pakistani diaspora, students and businesses in Turkiye, ensuring effective consular outreach and timely assistance when needed.

He also stressed the importance of enhanced coordination and information-sharing between Pakistani and Turkish institutions to combat human smuggling.

The president asked her to convey his warm regards to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon presenting her credentials and wished her success in her new assignment.