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Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan for creating growth opportunities
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has emphasised the need for creating more opportunities for economic growth and mutual stability within the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) region. "We believe in transforming challenges into opportunities," he stated while addressing an ECO ministerial meeting in Tehran on Monday. He was heading a delegation from Pakistan. The two-day huddle was attended by ministers from 10 member countries including Pakistan, Turkiye, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Delegates from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and host country Iran also participated. Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan holds strategic importance in the region and was particularly committed to developing road networks, enhancing land connectivity and establishing trade corridors. He reiterated Pakistan's priority to strengthen ties among ECO member states while referring to the Vision 2025 established during the ECO summit held in Islamabad in 2017. The communications minister highlighted the ongoing efforts to integrate Pakistan's rail and road corridors with the broader ECO network. In that regard, he cited major projects such as CPEC and aligning with the Euro-Asian Transport Links and the Asian Highway Network as national priorities. He elaborated that Pakistan has connected its northern border at Khunjerab to the seaports of Gwadar and Karachi and has also developed road networks to create linkages with Iran and Afghanistan. "Pakistan is undergoing a digital transformation in the communications sector, which will bring substantial long-term benefits," he remarked.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
The Story Of Turkey-Pakistan 'Brotherhood' And Why It Runs Deep
That the Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood runs deep is a fact amply underlined by the Turkish response to the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan. But what makes this alliance so strong is not just diplomacy, but history and tradition. Not only had the waning Ottoman Khilafat (or Caliphate) movement influenced the formation of Pakistan, but the shared tradition of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, culturality, and moderate Sufism is such that the two countries often fondly call each other 'Kardeslers', meaning "brothers" in Turkish. The fact that both Turkey and Pakistan were also in the same 'blocs' during the Cold War era - the Baghdad Pact (later Regional Cooperation for Development, and then Economic Cooperation Organisation), the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO), or even Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and D-8 being examples - helped them geopolitically cement their underlying religio-cultural-historical connection. The 1965 And 1971 Wars In 1951, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Treaty of Eternal Friendship. That led to Ankara progressively upping its support to Pakistan in all its wars with India. If the 1965 war saw Turkey supporting Pakistan diplomatically, by 1971, that had turned into material support as well in the form of aircraft assistance. Now, in the latest four-day conflict between the two countries, Turkey is believed to have supplied over 350 drones to Pakistan, along with military advisors and operatives to use the same. The mysterious landing of a Turkish C-130, followed by a visit by Lt Gen Yasar Kadioglu (Chief of Turkish Intelligence) in Pakistan days before Operation Sindoor, also raised suspicions. All this is in addition to the already signed deal to allow for upgrading of Pakistani F-16s at Turkish facilities and supply four stealth corvettes, 30 T129 ATAK helicopters, Kemankes cruise missiles, etc. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has personally thanked the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his "strong support and unwavering solidarity" during the Indo-Pak conflict. A Very Close Association For the two countries, their once-rhetorical support for each other has now decidedly turned into a more strategic one. Just as Islamabad readily concurs with Ankara on Northern Cyprus and refuses to recognise the Armenian genocide, Ankara backs Islamabad on the plebiscite line on Kashmir as well as its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group. But this is not a new shift by any measure. In his memoir, In the Line of Fire, former Pakistani President and dictator Pervez Musharaff fondly recounted how he spent his childhood in Ankara and "their [the people's] very visible love and affection for Pakistan and Pakistanis". It's also worth noting how the Indian Embassy road in Ankara has been renamed Cinnah Caddesi, meaning Jinnah Avenue. A Simultaneous Slide It was Turkey's oscillating and contradictory relationship of the 'state' with Islam that had inspired Muhammad Ali Jinnah - and Pervez Musharaff, decades later - to view the country as a model nation that Pakistan must emulate. However, both countries' regressive slide towards puritanism has occurred almost in tandem - in Turkey with the rise of Recep Erdogan, and in Pakistan with the tightening of the vice-like grip of religious narratives. If a more secularist and progressive Kemal Mustapha Atatürk had inspired Pakistani leaders like Jinnah, Ayub, Yahya or even Musharaff, religious hardliners like Erdogan, who rail brazenly at the "West", are the latest poster boys in Pakistan today. Surely, the bitterly contested domestic politics of Turkey, with the Progressives in the opposition and the religious conservatives under Erdogan, has a role to play too. Both benefit much more from batting on behalf of a "brother muslim nation" like Pakistan. The sheer distance and relatively lower commercial angularities with India are not enough for it to prefer Delhi over Islamabad. A Rival To Sheikhdoms Bonhomie with Pakistan is also rooted in Turkey's own ambition to emerge as a leader within the Ummah, or the Islamic World, which is hitherto dominated by Saudi-led Sheikhdoms. Given how India has built stable relations with such Sheikhdoms, the non-Arab majors like Turkey and Pakistan, which were historically treated as "lessers" within the Ummah, are now seeking to stitch a rival "bloc" involving other non-Arab nations, such as Malaysia, Iran and the perennially contrarian but Arab, Qatar. The deliberate exposé of the Khashoggi murder by the Turkish authorities was designed to embarrass the Saudis, underlining the internal rift within the Ummah. Also, with the US, India and Sheikdoms working conjointly on many fronts, Pakistan is left with only Turkey, along with China, to afford it some bragging rights. By standing up for Pakistan, Erdogan wants to project the imperialist grandeur of "Pasha" - the highest ranking official harking back to the Ottoman era - something the Turkish President desperately seeks to revive. The Indian Approach However, for India, Turkey's indulgence of Pakistan has resulted in Delhi asserting its own anti-Turkey view on Northern Cyprus, conducting naval exercises with Turkey's rival, Greece, and even becoming Armenia's largest arms supplier. The Indian reaction is a more recent phenomenon and a fallout of the Erdogan era. The Turkey-less India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor, aimed at countering Ankara's rival geostrategic initiative of 'Iraq Development Road', which shortchanges India, is part of New Delhi's approach. In a way, Erdogan's own electoral considerations, the solidification of India's relations with Arab Sheikdoms, Afghanistan (increasingly a pain point with Pakistan now), the US and the forever sectarian Iran, will ensure that Turkey and Pakistan continue to deepen their jointmanship, something that is bound to irk Delhi. As of now, the overwhelming nationalistic fervour in India has resulted in calls to de-prioritise Turkey as a destination for tourism and other exchanges. But that's barely enough to push Turkey to revisit its stance. Supporting Pakistan makes more sense to the calculative and ambitious Erdogan. The dearth of 'Turkish Delight' for India ought not to surprise anyone. (Lt. Gen. Bhopinder Singh (born 20 March 1946) is the former Lieutenant Governor of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry and an Indian Army officer who has been awarded the PVSM.)
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Express Tribune
ECO team enjoys city sites, culture
Walled City Authority Director General Kamran Lashari briefs an Economic Cooperation Organisation delegation during its visit to Delhi Gate. PHOTO: EXPRESS A delegation from the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) countries visited the historic Shalimar Garden and other cultural landmarks of Lahore. Walled City Authority Director General Kamran Lashari giving the visitors a guided tour, highlighting the Mughal architecture and various sections of the garden. A cultural show was organised in honour of the delegation, featuring renowned artistes who showcased regional dances, music and folk art. The evening concluded with a fireworks display. According to a statement, the ECO delegation admired the captivating beauty of Shalimar Garden, describing it as an exceptional blend of Mughal architecture and natural splendor. Later, a dinner was hosted in honour of the guests, where emphasis was laid on promoting cultural ties. The guests also toured the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Minar-e-Pakistan.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Lahore named tourism capital for 2027 by ECO
Listen to article The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) has named Lahore as its tourism capital for 2027, recognising the city's rich cultural, historical and architectural heritage. The announcement marks a major international honour for Pakistan and the Punjab province. A 25-member ECO delegation will visit Lahore from April 13 to officially confer the title. The delegation, visiting on the invitation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will attend the ECO Council of Permanent Representatives meeting at the provincial secretariat. Lahore joins a prestigious list of cities recognised by the ECO, which includes Erzurum in Türkiye for 2025 and Shahrisabz in Uzbekistan in previous years. The designation, initiated in 2019, aims to promote the cultural and historical assets of the ECO region on a global scale. Member states include Pakistan, Iran, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. During the visit, delegates will tour iconic sites including the Walled City, witness the traditional Mela Chiraghan festival, and visit the Safe Cities Authority. A luncheon will also be hosted in their honour at the Governor House. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant step in promoting the country's heritage. 'Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wants the world to see the vibrant cultural landscape of Lahore,' she said.
