Turkish President Erdogan arrives in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit on Wednesday on the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain.

The Turkish president and first lady were welcomed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Kalsoom Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz upon arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, diplomats and other high-ranking officials were also present to welcome President Erdogan. 

During his visit, the Turkish President will also address a joint session of parliament on November 17.  

According to Foreign Office spokesperson, President Erdogan is accompanied by a high-level entourage including ministers and senior officials besides a large number of business community members. Besides meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain, President Erdogan will also hold talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the visit.

The exchange of views between the dignitaries will cover an entire range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. The Turkish President will also travel to Lahore where the Prime Minister will host a banquet in his honour at Shahi Fort.

Mamnoon, Erdogan discuss bilateral ties

After his arrival, Turkish President held a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad on Wednesday evening.

Turkish Foreign Minister, Spokesman of President and Turkish Ambassador also attended the meeting.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and other high officials assisted President Mamnoon Hussain during the meeting.

Both sides discussed bilateral relations and cooperating in diverse fields.

PTI to boycott President Erdogan's address to parliament

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has refused the request of the Turkish Ambassador to attend the joint-session of the parliament and has persisted with his decision to continue his boycott of the assembly sessions.

“We would not attend the assembly sessions, where the Prime Minister is facing corruption charges,” he said.    

Imran Khan added that his party would continue the boycott of the parliament till the Supreme Court’s decision in the Panama Leaks case.

Earlier, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi had met with the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan to discuss this issue.