PM Imran, President Erdogan discuss economic ties in Ankara meeting

Premier meets the Turkish leader in his two-day official visit to Turkey

Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara during his two-day official visit to Turkey on Friday.

The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, according to a PM Office statement on Twitter.

Prime Minister Imran Khan holds meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan @RT_Erdogan

Both leaders discussed enhancing of relations and strengthening of economic ties between Pakistan and Turkey.#PMIKVisitsTurkey 🇵🇰🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/iY3gZ0EAFc

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) January 4, 2019

The premier had arrived in the Turkish capital on a two-day visit on Thursday. His delegation includes Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar.



Addressing Turkey’s business community, PM Imran reminisced Pakistan as fasting growing economies back in the 1960s. “We were role models for developing countries. South Korea, Malaysia wanted to adopt our model. These countries moved ahead while Pakistan’s growth declined because of our socialist mindset.”

Criticising Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s nationalisation policy; Imran said policy deterred wealth creation. “Profit-making was considered a sin. Businessmen, industrialists were hounded out of the country.”

The policy, Imran said, was discarded in the 1980s but its influence on bureaucracy and politicians remained. “Our government feels wealth creation will help steer Pakistan out of the economic crisis. It will raise people out of poverty.”

Hailing China as an example, he said the country had achieved what no other could in the history of mankind. “They lifted over 700 million people out of poverty line in 30 years.”

PM Imran revealed that the government had set up an office in the prime minister’s secretariat aiming to boost investment. He underscored the importance of ridding society of corruption. “Corruption makes it difficult for small and medium enterprises to flourish. It becomes the reason behind countries failure to reach their potential.”

The prime minister said his government realised hurdles faced by the Turkish businessmen in Pakistan and was focused to find solutions. “We assure you, you will find a completely different government,” he added.

We are looking for investments in Pakistan and increasing the country’s exports and we want to provide employment to the young population, he said.

FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi has met his Turkish counterpart H.E Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu @MevlutCavusoglu. Regional & bilateral issues discussed. FM Qureshi informed his counterpart of Pakistan's efforts for peace and reconciliation in #Afghanistan.@MFATurkey pic.twitter.com/PhskLmlhSG

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 4, 2019

Separately, FM Qureshi held a meeting with his Turkish Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and discussed regional and bilateral issues. According to Foreign Office, Qureshi appraised Turkish foreign minister of Pakistan's efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.



On Thursday night, Pakistan's delegation attended a banquet with leading Turkish business group. The dinner was hosted The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

In his speech, PM Imran conveyed his government's intent to enhancing trade between the two countries. He enphasised that Pakistan was on its way to strengthening its system of governance.

The prime minister also elaborated the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will connect Pakistan will parts of the world and ease transportation and open business prospects.

Prime Minster of Pakistan Imran Khan Speech at Business Forum of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) in Ankara Turkey (03.01.19)#PMIKVisitsTurkey @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/KnajNxbTz2

— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 3, 2019

Minister Khusro Bakhtyar along with PM attended a banquet with leading Turkish Business groups in Ankara hosted by The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).#Pakistan #Turkey @RadioPakistan @PTVNewsOfficial @KanwalShauzab @KhusroMakhdum @pid_gov pic.twitter.com/BqMmmVnt5C

— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) January 4, 2019

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey is the highest legal entity in Turkey representing the business sector.#Pakistan #Turkey pic.twitter.com/0CeWzLtHa6

— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) January 4, 2019

The Pakistani delegation also visited Mevlana Rumi Museum in Konya on Thursday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan started off his first two-day official visit to Turkey with a trip to Mevlana Rumi Museum in Konya yesterday. #PMIKVisitsTurkey 🇵🇰🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/51ClKaE9Hu

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) January 4, 2019