ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye economic and strategic cooperation, emphasizing the need to achieve the mutually agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade.
The president made these remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Türkiye, Amna Baloch, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Congratulating Amna Baloch on her appointment, President Zardari acknowledged her successful tenure as Pakistan’s foreign secretary and highlighted the importance of the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye, rooted in shared values, cultural ties and common aspirations for peace and prosperity.
He stressed the need to expand cooperation in energy, agriculture, livestock, mining, ship-breaking, information technology, defence industries and special economic zones.
He also called for increased investment, stronger collaboration between universities, greater people-to-people exchanges and enhanced cooperation in tourism and cultural activities.
The president urged the ambassador-designate to maintain close engagement with the Pakistani diaspora, students and business community in Türkiye, ensuring effective consular services and timely assistance to Pakistani nationals.
He also emphasized stronger coordination and information-sharing between Pakistani and Turkish institutions to combat human smuggling.
President Zardari asked Amna Baloch to convey his warm regards to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when presenting her credentials and wished her success in her new diplomatic assignment.