Turkish President Erdogan arrives in Islamabad

PM Nawaz, Punjab CM welcome the Turk head of state at Nur Khan Air Base

ISLAMABAD: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, his first since an attempted military coup failed to oust him from power earlier this year.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the Turkish head of state at Islamabad's Nur Khan Air Base.

Prime Minister of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Nawaz Sharif welcomes President of Turkey 🇹🇷 Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/piCxXwZzrX

— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 16, 2016

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/cQXVSEEKc4

— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 16, 2016

"We warmly welcome Turk president @RT_Erdogan to Pakistan" @CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/uOsi44Ef9g

— Punjab 2013-18 (@Punjab13to18) November 16, 2016

Değerli Kardeşim Erdoğan Evinize Hoşgeldiniz Sefalar Getirdiniz ...

محترم جنابِ طیب اردگان...
اپنے گھر آمد پر خوش آمدید

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 16, 2016

Erdogan was accompanied by a high-level entourage – including Turkish ministers and senior officials, as well as a large business delegation, and will hold meetings on a host of bilateral, regional and international issues, a handout issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.



The Turkish president is scheduled to address a joint session of parliament – which the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced it won’t attend.

Erdogan will also travel to Lahore as well, where PM Nawaz will host a banquet in his honour at the Shahi Fort.

The foreign ministry handout said Pakistan and Turkey are bound by “an exemplary relationship characterised by warmth, cordiality and mutual trust”.

“There are embedded deep in history, common faith, cultural and linguistic affinities and a sense of common destiny. Frequent exchanges at the leadership and ministerial levels and growing cooperation in diverse fields are the hallmarks of the unique bonds between Pakistan and Turkey,” it said.



“Both sides are working to give powerful thrust to bilateral trade, investment and commercial cooperation as part of the efforts to build a robust economic partnership.”

Erdogan meets President Mamnoon Hussain

Meanwhile, Erdogan and President Mamnoon Hussain agreed on joint cooperation between the two countries for further deepening trade and defence relations.

An understanding to this effect came during a meeting between the two leaders at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Wednesday evening.

The two Presidents had one on one meeting which was followed by delegation level meeting.