Islamabad: The Ambassador of Türkiye to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, emphasized on Monday that the Pakistan Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad could play a crucial role in advancing Pakistan-Türkiye bilateral relations across economic, diplomatic, and cultural domains. He highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries, underscoring the significance of platforms like NPC for hosting international trade conferences and fostering economic ties. His remarks came during a meeting with a delegation of PFUJ, NPC, and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) at the Turkish Embassy.
The National Press Club delegation included PFUJ President Muhammad Afzal Butt, National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi, Secretary Nayyar Ali, Finance Secretary Waqar Abbasi, RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk, Finance Secretary Nadeem Chaudhry, and Joint Secretary Gulzar Khan.
Ambassador Neziroglu lauded the historical significance of Pakistan-Türkiye relations, tracing their deep roots to shared cultural and political legacies. He noted that ties were significantly strengthened during the eras of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and President General Zia-ul-Haq, paving the way for greater collaboration in subsequent decades. He underlined the common demographic strength of both nations, with a large youth population capable of driving future economic growth.
The Turkish envoy expressed a strong commitment to enhancing bilateral trade, tourism, and educational connectivity between the two countries. He pointed out that despite the warm relations, the current trade volume does not reflect its true potential, calling for immediate steps to boost economic exchanges. He appreciated the PFUJ and NPC’s initiative to organize conferences and events that could serve as catalysts for trade and tourism development.
Ambassador Neziroglu also highlighted the role of people-to-people connectivity in strengthening bilateral ties. He mentioned Türkiye’s active engagement with various institutions in Pakistan, including chambers of commerce, trade bodies, and higher education institutions. The ambassador expressed a keen interest in collaborative initiatives such as journalist exchange programs and the promotion of tourism and hospitality sectors. He commended the NPC for organizing activities like the Ramadan Festival, which foster community and family engagement.
The ambassador reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to working closely with Pakistani institutions and exploring new avenues for mutual benefit. The envoy’s assurance of support to the initiatives proposed by the media delegation highlighted the shared vision of fostering a deeper and more dynamic partnership between the two nations.
