Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms
of percentage of population after Indonesia, and its status as a declared
nuclear power, being the only Islamic nation to have that status, plays a part
in its international role. Moreover, she is the 27th largest in the world in
terms of PPP and the 45th largest in nominal terms. The economy of Pakistan is
South Asia's second largest economy; representing about 15 percent of regional
GDP. On the other hand, Turkey is centrally located between Europe, Central
Asia and the Middle East. In addition, Turkey has the largest Muslim GDP
without any oil reserves. Although there is not described a nuclear power in
Turkey, she has the second largest armed forces in NATO. Nevertheless Turkey's
economy is developing rapidly. Turkey has the world's 15th largest GDP-PPP and
17th largest Nominal GDP. The country is a founding member of the OECD and the
G-20 major economies. According to WEO, Turkey is 6th largest economy compared
with the 27 EU Countries in 2011. Turkey is an important energy terminal and
corridor in Europe connecting the East and the West. She is in the EU
Customs Union since 1996 and an EU accession country since October 2005. Turkey
is the 15th most attractive FDI destination for 2008-2010 (UNCTAD).
Pakistani–Turkish relations have been traditionally
strong. Both nations maintain extensive cultural, commercial, strategic and
military cooperation. Both Turkey and Pakistan are Muslim-majority states and
share extensive cultural and geopolitical links. Turkey considers the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, with which it is bound with fraternal ties, as one of the
prominent players for the security and stability of the region. The people of both countries have brotherly
relations which date back centuries. These relations have been traditionally
strong. Relations between Pakistan and Turkey are exemplary. Turkey established
diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and
bilateral relations became increasingly close owing to cultural, religious and
geopolitical links between the two countries. Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali
Jinnah expressed admiration for Turkey's founding leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
and also a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and
secularism. Similar ideas were expressed by the former President of Pakistan
Pervez Musharraf, who grew up in Turkey and had received extensive military
training there. Jinnah is honored as a great leader in Turkey, and a major road
of the Turkish capital Ankara, the Cinnah Caddesi is named after him, while
roads in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Larkana are named after
Atatürk. On 26 October 2009, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was awarded the
Nishan-e-Pakistan and was the fourth world leader who spoke to the Pakistani
parliament. Erdoğan said that Pakistan had always occupied a special place in
the hearts and minds of the Turkish government and people.
Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation
Organization and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) organization. Both
nations have worked to negotiate a preferential trading agreement, aiming to
considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport,
telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries.
The positive reflection of the excellent bilateral relations can also be
seen in the international fora. Turkey and Pakistan are supporting each other
in all international platforms. By pursuing active and constructive policies in
multilateral processes such as Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP), as well
as organizing Turkey-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Summits, Turkey deems the
contributions to the peace and stability in this region as a priority.
The U.S.A accuses Pakistan Trust Services of aiding and abetting the organs
of terrorism in these days, Turkey should be more support to Pakistan, because
supporting Pakistan is a must for the peace in the region of Pakistan which
includes Afghanistan, India, and Iran.
İsa Burak GONCA
References
“Pakistan Country
Report” http://www.radaid.org/UploadedFiles/RADAID%20Pakistan%20Health%20Care%20Radiology%20Report%202011.pdf
"Recent
developments". The World Bank. June
2011.
"Pakistan
May Keep Key Rate Unchanged After Two Cuts This Year". Bloomberg. 28
September 2009.
Retrieved 2 January 2010.
"One
Nation-Two States". Hurriet daily news.
"Pak-Turk
political relations". Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Pak-Turk
strong relations". Daily Hurriet News.
"Turkey
and Pakistan: Bridging the Growing Divergence" Center for Strategic
Research.
Anderson, Paul (2003-06-16). "Turkey and
Pakistan boost ties". BBC News.
"Turkey and
Pakistan join forces". Center for Strategic Research
"Turkey to
sign PTA with Pakistan". Daily Times, Pakistan. 2005-04-16.
"Trade between Pakistan
& Turkey". Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and
Industry
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