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KARACHI, Jan 14 (APP):Consul General of the Republic of Turkiye in Karachi, Ergul Kadak has emphasized that tourism represents a “low-hanging fruit” for Pakistan’s economic growth, which, if developed properly, could significantly reduce external financing requirements of the country.
Pakistan has a great deal to offer, including scenic coastlines, beaches, cultural heritage and natural beauty, he stated while speaking at a meeting held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said a statement issued here.
The Turkish Consul General, while responding to suggestions regarding attracting Turkish tourists to Pakistan, stressed that secure and facilitating environment along with positive and credible success stories are essential to encourage tourism flows.
Drawing parallels with Istanbul’s challenges during the 1990s, he observed that Karachi faces similar issues today but also possesses comparable potential for transformation.
He further advised to actively engage social media influencers to project a positive image of Pakistan and Karachi, noting that modern tourists, particularly from Turkiye, rely heavily on online platforms for travel-related information.
Responding to queries regarding visa processing delays, Turkish CG clarified that applicants generally receive their passports within two weeks, which he described as an acceptable processing timeframe. He stated that approximately 95 percent of visa applications are processed within this period and added that the visa issuance system has improved significantly, with two weeks now serving as the standard benchmark.
On trade relations, the Consul General stated that negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkiye are ongoing and remain among the top priorities of both governments. He noted that the FTA is a key objective under the Pakistan-Turkiye Joint Economic Commission, and that a related protocol was signed in October during meetings held in Islamabad, reaffirming both sides’ commitment to advancing the agreement.
Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, in his welcome address, stated that Turkiye is a key trading partner for Pakistan, with strong prospects for collaboration in textiles, construction, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, food processing, tourism, energy, information technology, and defense-related industries.
Acknowledging Turkiye’s consistent support for Pakistan on issues of core national importance, which has further strengthened mutual trust and goodwill, he appreciated the role of the Turkiye Consulate in facilitating business-to-business linkages, trade delegations, and investment engagement.
The KCCI chief expressed chamber’s willingness to work closely with the Consulate to organize joint business forums, B2B meetings, trade exhibitions, and investment roadshows. He also formally invited Turkiye companies to participate in the upcoming My Karachi Exhibition, scheduled to be held from 6th to 8th February 2026, noting that the exhibition has been organized annually by KCCI since 2004.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen Pakistan–Turkiye economic and commercial cooperation and to translate longstanding friendship into tangible economic outcomes.
The meeting was attended by Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Chairmen of relevant Subcommittees and members of the KCCI Managing Committee.