Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is on a 2-day visit to Turkiye after being invited by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
PM will stay in Turkiye on 25 and 26 November, as per Prime Minister’s Office said.
This visit can help strengthen the strategic bilateral relationship between the two states as well as promote a naval partnership.
PM Shehbaz is expected to inaugurate MILGEM-class corvette ships, PNS Khaibar, and naval warships made by Turkiye for Pakistan.
The Naval development is the result of the July 2018 contract between the Pakistan Navy and Turkiye to promote the State-run defence Firm ASFAT.
Under that agreement, two corvettes were supposed to be built in Turkiye and two in Pakistan.
The transfer of technology is also involved in the contract.
Earlier in August 2021, President of Pakistan Arif Alvi attended the launching ceremony of the first corvette, PNS Babur, meanwhile, the second launch happened in Karachi this year.
PMO in a statement stated that fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey are based on shared religious, cultural, and historical values and are strengthened by uncommon warmth and mutual trust.
It also added, “The MILGEM project represents a significant milestone in the Pakistan-Turkiye strategic partnership that continues to progress on an upward trajectory.”
Starting in August 2023, the ships will be delivered at intervals of six months.
These ships are capable of performing a variety of military tasks, from air defence to submarine defence.
This visit is also expected to have a positive impact on the political and economic partnership between the two states.
As per the PMO office, “PM office will also have discussion encompassing bilateral relations, the regional situation and other issues of common interest.”
