ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived separately in Istanbul on Sunday for official engagements, as Islamabad and Ankara continue to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Dar arrived in Istanbul after concluding his official visit to the United Kingdom, where he met senior officials and discussed bilateral relations, regional security and India’s violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, according to the Foreign Office.
He was received by Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration Brig. Gen. Şenol Varol, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid and other senior Turkish government officials.
On Sunday, Dar also extended greetings to Türkiye on its 104th Victory Day, paying tribute to the country’s War of Independence.
“We join our Turkish brothers and sisters in celebrating this historic victory and honor the memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,” Dar said, paying tribute to “the heroes and martyrs of Türkiye’s War of Independence.”
“Pakistan and Türkiye are bound by an exceptional bond of brotherhood, founded on mutual trust and deep-rooted affection between our peoples,” he said.
Dar, Fidan discuss expanding bilateral ties
Later, FM Dar held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, where both sides expressed satisfaction over the continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations.
According to the Foreign Office, the two ministers discussed cooperation in the political, economic, security and cultural domains.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction at the continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations in the political, economic, security and cultural domains,” the Foreign Office said.
The two sides also welcomed progress under the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and agreed on the early convening of its next session.
They exchanged views on regional and international issues and reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely for regional peace and stability, the Foreign Office said.
Special Secretary (UN) Nabeel Munir, Director General (UN) Umar Siddique, First Secretary Qazi Saleem and Deputy Director to the Foreign Minister Agha Hunain also joined Dar for the meeting.
CDF Munir arrives in Istanbul
Separately, Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Istanbul for an official visit, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.
Munir’s visit follows his trip to Ankara in July, when he was received and hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
During that visit, discussions focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye in the “evolving geopolitical environment,” according to ISPR.
The field marshal was also presented with a guard of honor at the Turkish General Staff Headquarters.
The back-to-back visits by Pakistan’s foreign minister and chief of defense forces come as Islamabad and Ankara continue to deepen cooperation across political, economic and security domains.