Pakistan

Turkey's inclusion in CPEC to benefit region: PM Shehbaz

Premier attends launch ceremony of PNS Badr, lauds Turkish, Pakistan navies

Radio Pakistan/APP May 20, 2022

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday floated a proposal for Turkey to join the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, saying a "trilateral arrangement with the inclusion of Turkey" would benefit the region.

The prime minister made these remarks while addressing a ceremony marking the launch of PNS Badr - the third ship inducted under the framework of Turkey’s National Ship Project (MİLGEM).

The ceremony held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works was attended by Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi and a large number of naval officers from Pakistan and Turkey.

In July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships with Turkey’s state-run defence firm ASFAT. According to the plan, two corvettes are to be built in Turkey and the next two are to be built in Pakistan, which also involves technology transfer.

'Multi-dimensional ties'

Speaking on the occasion, the premier said the multi-dimensional cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in the areas of defence, foreign policy and public welfare was "touching new heights of friendship for the benefit of the two peoples".

"The cooperation between Pakistan Navy and the Turkish defence companies would lead to further strengthening of relations between the two brotherly countries," he added.

PM Shehbaz said the launch of PNS Badr would enhance the maritime activities at the Karachi Port and Port Qasim, thus leading to the development of financial and industrial progress.

He said the launch of the ship was a “moment of pride for the entire Pakistani nation and the naval forces of the two countries” and appreciated the efforts of the naval chief, his team and the defence minister.

The premier added that the government of Pakistan was committed to expanding multifarious infrastructure to ensure economic connectivity in the country and emphasised that cooperation with Turkey would yield positive results. He lauded Turkey for always being a great supporter of the sovereignty of Pakistan.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi said the defence ties between Pakistan and Turkey were witnessing the development and hoped that the time would see further collaboration for the benefit of the two sides.

Read PM Shehbaz orders tightening of security for Chinese nationals

'Turkey to strengthen military infrastructure'

The message of Turkish President Erdogan was screened on the occasion wherein he assured Pakistan that Turkey would provide all support needed to strengthen Pakistan’s military infrastructure.

President Erdogan said the deliveries of the ships, which would be able to perform all kinds of military duties from air defence to submarine defence, would be made at six-month intervals starting from August 2023.

With an emphasis on the historical ties between Turkey and Pakistan, Erdogan said the project was one of the most concrete and recent examples of it, voicing hope for the project to be “a harbinger of greater cooperation”.

Erdogan said Pakistan is the country with the most strategic location in South Asia. “Throughout history, this region has been the apple of the world’s eye with its ancient culture and wealth. Pakistan and its people have a special place for us.”

The Turkish preside also emphasised the necessity of providing all means of support to strengthen the military infrastructure of Pakistan, “whose security, stability and prosperity we consider equal to ours.”

The other vessel of the project, named Kaibar, is to be launched in September in Istanbul, he said.

According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, the MILGEM vessels are 99 meters (325 feet) long with a displacement capacity of 24,00 tons and can move at a speed of 29 nautical miles. The anti-submarine combat frigates can be hidden from the radar.

PM in Karachi

Earlier in the day, Shehbaz departed for a day-long visit to Karachi. The premier is likely to meet with prominent members of the business community to discuss recommendations regarding the dire economic situation.

The premier is accompanied by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Minister for Water Resources Syed Khurshid Shah and Special Assistant to the PM Syed Fahad Hussain.

COMMENTS (2)

test | 2 years ago | Reply We will not force our brotherly country but will definitely invite them to join if they want to become a part of BRI s CPEC route. Or they can also become a part of BRI through Central Asian routes passing through China. Or simply Pakistan Turkey and Iran route under BRI. But so far we are still trying to get the fruit through CPEC but still got none. Vietnam was successful regarding BRI. Malaysia was half successful regarding BRI. Sri Lanka was totally unsuccessful regarding BRI which means Vietnam benefited while Malaysia to some extent while extreme unfortunate for Sri Lanka it didn t benefit even a single bit. I think BRI is for those who countries who doesn t have any debt liabilities. Any country with massive debt cannot afford BRI especially if both western and chinese lenders keep asking for the return of the loans then the poorer country will face the same fate as did Lanka because they are joining BRI to become financially rich and to pay back the debts and those poor countries are not joining to get another debt to further cripple their economy. If BRI is pure investment then it is great initiative and if it is loan based initiative then it should be avoided at least for the time being especially if you cannot pay back the debt because westerns will blackmail you by demanding payment of debts or something and at the same time chinese will demand for payback of debts. And the result you cannot open the front door to the guests of different backgrounds especially if they are enemies with each other.

Muhammad saghir | 2 years ago | Reply Very encouraging decision to joine CPEC .May ALLAH joine Muslims on one platform. AMEEN.

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