ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): A high-level delegation comprising women members of the Balochistan Assembly undertook an official visit to Türkiye with the aim of further strengthening parliamentary, diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The delegation was led by Ms. Farah Azeem Shah, MPA, a leader of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and President of the BAP Women Wing, said a press release received here on Sunday.
Other members of the delegation included Ms. Salma Kakar, MPA (ANP), Ms. Hadiya Nawaz, MPA (PML-N), and Ms. Kulsoom, MPA (National Party).
During the visit, the delegation held several important meetings with Türkiye’s senior political leadership and parliamentary representatives. The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, youth development, education, investment, and the promotion of positive narratives.
The delegation met with the leadership of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where issues relating to Pakistan–Türkiye brotherly relations, parliamentary cooperation, and regional development were discussed.
On this occasion, the delegation also met Senator Dr. Mustafa Kaya, Vice President of the Saadet Party and a member of the NATO Group of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. During the meeting, Farah Azeem Shah highlighted the strategic importance, natural resources, and development potential of Balochistan, stating that initiatives such as the Balochistan Sustainable Development Initiative (BSDI) are rapidly transforming the province’s development landscape.
She invited Türkiye to invest in Balochistan in the sectors of mines and minerals, infrastructure, youth skills development, and education, and also requested the provision of scholarships for Pakistani, particularly Baloch students in Turkish universities.
The Turkish leadership warmly welcomed the delegation and stated that through Farah Azeem Shah’s leadership, they had the opportunity to see the true and positive face of Balochistan. Turkish leaders expressed their desire to visit Balochistan, saying that Baloch culture is a valuable asset of Pakistan, and that a province represented by such capable and patriotic parliamentarians will take Pakistan to new heights of progress.
During the meetings, both sides agreed on the establishment of a joint think tank and working group between Pakistan and Türkiye to facilitate policy-level cooperation, explore investment opportunities, promote youth exchange programs, and effectively counter fake news and negative propaganda.
It was also agreed to maintain regular contacts and hold further high-level meetings in the future to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Political observers believed that this visit marks an important development in Pakistan–Türkiye relations, contributing to the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy, the role of women leadership, youth development, and the projection of Balochistan’s positive image at the global level.