Turkish MP Ali Sahin wants Pak-trade ties enhanced

 As Pakistan has special importance in the Muslim world, some world powers do not want stability in Pakistan, Turkish MP and Chairman of Turk-Pak Parliamentary Friendship Group Ali Şahin said.

“Several conspiracies are being hatched to weaken and divide Pakistan and this issue needs to be addressed properly,” the senior leader of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party told a group of journalists

Pakistan must be strong economically and politically to play a pivotal part in the region, he stressed.

He said that Turkey is working with Iraq, Qatar and UAE on the important trade routes projects and Pakistan, Iran and China need to be part of this.

He added: “CPEC is a game-changer project. It will change the balance of trade all over the world.

“The economic and trade relations between Turkey and Pakistan are much less than the capabilities of both countries

“The volume of mutual trade between the two countries is just $2 billion annually. There is a need to remove obstacles in the way of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

“Pakistan-Turkey relations in the defence sector increased in the last decade

“For peace and harmony in the Middle East, the relations between Turkey and Pakistan should be cemented. We are trying our best to protect the rights of Palestine.

Regarding healthcare and the overstay issue of foreigners, Ali said that discussions are going on with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added: “Pakistani Embassy and Ambassador Dr Yusuf Junaid are doing their best to fix it. Turkey's efforts to become part of Europe are facing some obstacles

"Pakistani authorities and Turkish authorities are making efforts to resolve this issue legally. A meeting is expected in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next month."

Ali Sahin stayed in Karachi from 1990 to 1997 to pursue his education and he shared his memories too, saying the people of Karachi gave him a lot of love and he "has no words to describe the love of Pakistani people for Turkey".

He said he knew that Turkish plays were being aired in Pakistan and planning was underway to play Pakistani dramas in Turkey.

He expressed his love for Pakistan, saying: “Love for Pakistan runs in Turkish blood. Pakistan and Turkey are the twin sons of the Ummah. Pakistan is my motherland and I am a son of Pakistan.”