KARACHI: PM Shehbaz Sharif on Friday floated a proposal for Turkey to join the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, saying a \u201ctrilateral arrangement with the inclusion of Turkey\u201d will benefit the region. The prime minister made these remarks while addressing a ceremony marking the launch of PNS Badr – the third ship inducted under the framework of Turkey\u2019s National Ship Project (M\u0130LGEM). The ceremony held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works was attended by Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi and a large number of naval officers from Pakistan and Turkey. TLTP
\nIn July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships with Turkey\u2019s state-run defence firm ASFAT. According to the plan, two corvettes are to be built in Turkey and the next two are to be built in Pakistan, which also involves technology transfer.
\nSpeaking on the occasion, the premier said the multidimensional cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in the areas of defence, foreign policy and public welfare was \u201ctouching new heights of friendship for the benefit of the two peoples\u201d.
\n\u201cThe cooperation between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish defence companies would lead to further strengthening of relations between the two brotherly countries,\u201d he added. Sharif said the launch of PNS Badr will enhance the maritime activities at the Karachi Port and Port Qasim, thus leading to the development of financial and industrial progress.
\nHe said the launch of the ship is a \u201cmoment of pride for the entire Pakistani nation and the naval forces of the two countries\u201d and appreciated the efforts of the naval chief, his team and the defence minister.
\nThe premier added that the government of Pakistan is committed to expanding multifarious infrastructure to ensure economic connectivity in the country and emphasised that cooperation with Turkey would yield positive results. He lauded Turkey for always being a great supporter of the sovereignty of Pakistan.
\nChief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi said the defence ties between Pakistan and Turkey were witnessing the development and hoped that the time would see further collaboration for the benefit of the two sides.
\nThe message of Turkish President Erdogan was screened on the occasion wherein he assured Pakistan that Turkey would provide all support needed to strengthen Pakistan\u2019s military infrastructure. President Erdogan said the deliveries of the ships, which would be able to perform all kinds of military duties from air defence to submarine defence, would be made at six-month intervals starting from August 2023.
\nWith an emphasis on the historical ties between Turkey and Pakistan, Erdogan said the project was one of the most concrete and recent examples of it, voicing hope for the project to be \u201ca harbinger of greater cooperation\u201d.
\nErdogan said Pakistan is the country with the most strategic location in South Asia. \u201cThroughout history, this region has been the apple of the world\u2019s eye with its ancient culture and wealth. Pakistan and its people have a special place for us.\u201d
\nThe Turkish president also emphasised the necessity of providing all means of support to strengthen the military infrastructure of Pakistan, \u201cwhose security, stability and prosperity we consider equal to ours.\u201d
\nThe other vessel of the project, named Kaibar, is to be launched in September in Istanbul, he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI: PM Shehbaz Sharif on Friday floated a proposal for Turkey to join the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, saying a \u201ctrilateral arrangement with the inclusion of Turkey\u201d will benefit the region. The prime minister made these remarks while addressing a ceremony marking the launch of PNS Badr – the third ship inducted […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-261690","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n