Turkish President Erdogan arrives in Islamabad

The Turkish President received a warm welcome upon arrival, with a red carpet reception at the airport

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was warmly received on Wednesday as he arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit.

His arrival at Nur Khan Airbase was marked by a grand welcome, with high-ranking officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other key government figures present to greet the Turkish leader.

A 21-gun salute was fired in honour of President Erdogan, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation. The Pakistan Air Force jets escorted Erdogan’s special aircraft as it entered Pakistan's airspace, adding to the significance of the visit.

Two children, dressed in traditional attire, presented bouquets to President Erdogan and the First Lady. The welcome ceremony also included a performance by the military band, while children waved the flags of both Pakistan and Turkey.

During his visit, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will co-chair the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations. Erdogan will also engage in bilateral meetings with both Prime Minister Sharif and President Zardari.

Together, Erdogan and PM Shehbaz Sharif will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, a key event that will bring together prominent investors and business leaders from both nations.

The route of President Erdogan’s motorcade and the airbase were decorated with the flags of Pakistan and Turkey, reflecting the warm diplomatic ties between the two countries.