Joint Turkey-Pakistan commando and special forces military exercise held in Turkey

Turkey- Pakistan Joint Commando and Special Forces Exercise (Jinnah-2014) was held from 15-30 September 2014. The exercises were held under the auspices of  Mountain Commando School and Education Central Command in Eğirdir, Isparta of Turkey where contingents of Turkey and Pakistan Armed Forces commandos participated.  

urkey- Pakistan Joint Commando and Special Forces Exercise (Jinnah-2014) was held from 15-30 September 2014. The exercises were held under the auspices of

Turkey-Pakistan Commando and Special Forces exercises are held alternatively in Turkey and Pakistan since 1998. When the exercise is held in Pakistan, it is named as Ataturk and when held in Turkey, the exercise is named as Jinnah. 

The exercises were aimed at sharing of practical experience in Counter-Terrorism Operations. Focus of the joint military exercise was on combat in built places, air assault operations, guerrilla tactics and techniques and counter-terrorism training. The exercise will further strengthen existing cooperation between the Armed Forces of the two countries.

Türkiye ve Pakistan'dan Ortak Komando ve Özel Kuvvetler Tatbikatı

Türkiye ile Pakistan'ın ortak katılımı ile Isparta Eğirdir'deki Dağ Komando Okulu ve Eğitim Merkez Komutanlığı'nda ortak komando ve Özel Kuvvetler tatbikatı yapıldı.

Türkiye-Pakistan Ortak Komando ve Özel Kuvvetler Tatbikatı (CİNNAH-2014), 15-30 Eylül 2014 tarihleri arasında, Isparta Eğirdir'deki Dağ Komando Okulu ve Eğitim Merkez Komutanlığı'nda, Türkiye ve Pakistan Silahlı Kuvvetlerinden birer komando kolunun katılımıyla icra edildi.
Tatbikatta, Terörizmle Mücadele Harekâtı kapsamında tecrübe paylaşımı sağlandı.
Türkiye-Pakistan Fiili Komando ve Özel Kuvvetler Tatbikatları (ATATÜRK-CİNNAH); 1998 yılından itibaren, Türkiye ve Pakistan'da dönüşümlü olarak icra ediliyor. Pakistan'da icra edilen tatbikata 'ATATÜRK', Türkiye'de icra edilen tatbikata ise 'CİNNAH' adı veriiyor.
Tatbikatın amacı; iki ülke Komando ve Özel Kuvvet Birlikleri arasında bilgi ve eğitim paylaşımı yapılması, iki ülke Silahlı Kuvvetleri arasındaki mevcut olan işbirliği ve dostluğun daha da güçlendirilmesi ve geliştirilmesi olduğu belirtildi.
Tatbikat süresince; dağcılık, kol harekâtı, meskûn mahallerde muharebe, hava hücum harekâtı ve terörizmle mücadele harekâtı konularında eğitimler ile Özel Kuvvetler Harekâtı kapsamında küçük birlik harekâtı, gerilla taktik ve teknikleri ve karşı terörizm eğitimleri icra edildi.
Courtesy: Milliyet

Turkish PM extends condolences on Flood Devastation

Islamabad; September 11, 2014

The newly elected Prime Minister of Turkey Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu made a telephone call to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif today and extended his condolences on the loss of life and property due to heavy floods in various parts of the country.

The Prime Minister thanked Dr. Davutoğlu for his concern and said that Turkey is always among the first to express solidarity with Pakistan in the face of such natural calamities.

He also conveyed his warmest felicitations and best wishes to Dr. Davutoğlu on his elevation as Turkey’s Prime Minister and expressed the confidence that under his visionary leadership Turkey would continue its march forward on the journey of peace and progress.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan recognises Turkey as a strong friend and expressed the hope that Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership would continue to grow even stronger during the tenure of Dr. Davutoğlu.

Turkey's growing profile in Pakistan: A Geo-Political Imperative by Mohammad Pervez Bilgrami

The growing mutuality between Pakistan and Turkey in varying spheres cannot be treated as incidental; it is deeply rooted in the history of both the nations, and which is bound to grow further

From being a largely inward-looking country, Turkey now stands as an influential and forward-looking  power in the West Asia, North Africa, Balkan and Central and South Asia. It has been playing a largely independent foreign policy in several crucial issues--- from Gaza, to Egypt, to Somalia, to Syria and to Iraq. In the past decade, Turkey has built an active political engagement in its near abroad, and has played a leading role in various regional issues, ranging from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Turkey’s regional influence and profile has increased after its self-confident engagement in foreign policy led by the former foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu.

Turkey and Pakistan have developed a close bilateral relationship in general. Turkey established its diplomatic relations soon after Pakistan’s emergence as an independent nation in 1947. Relations between the two countries have grown closer in recent years since the moderately Islamic-oriented Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power in Turkey in 2002.

Turkey in general and Erdogan in particular had made great inroads inside Pakistan politically, economically, militarily and socio-culturally. Frequency of bilateral visits at the top levels has increased manifold in the last twelve years.  On 26 October 2009, the then Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan and was the fourth world leader who spoke to the Pakistani parliament.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has worked as conduit between China and Turkey to normalize and strengthen relationship, especially after massive Xinjiang riots in 2009, when Erdogan vehemently criticized heavy-handedness of the Chinese security forces against the Turkic-Uyghur people.
Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) organization. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached its maximum at around $1 billion by 2010. Turkey is one of the few trading partners of Pakistan where balance of trade is heavily in favour of the latter.
The major Pakistani exports to turkey include rice, sesame seeds, leather, textiles, fabrics, sports goods, and medical equipments. Turkey's exports to Pakistan include wheat, chickpeas, lentils, diesel, chemicals, transport vehicles, machinery and energy products. Turkish private corporations have also invested significantly in industrial and construction projects developing highways, pipelines and canals.

Moreover, both the nations have successfully worked to negotiate a preferential trade agreement (PTA) to be signed in by the end of 2014, aiming to considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries.
A number of Turkish- supported development programmes are going on in Pakistan from Lahore Metro Bus to renewable energy parks and Housing and infrastructure. After China, Turkey has embarked as the major technology driven trade partner of Pakistan.

During the disastrous natural calamity of 2011 when almost quarter of Pakistan had been submerged under the massive flood, Erdogan extended his helping hand and urged his people to donate for Pakistani flood victims. It is important to note here that the Turkish people donated more money in the relief bank account on their prime minister’s call to help the people of a foreign country than the Pakistani people donated to their own prime minister’s relief fund. Turkish people’s donations collected in various campaigns amounted to 135 million $. Turkey pledged 100 million $ to Pakistan at the Donors’ Conference in Tokyo in April 2009.  For meeting emergent needs following the flood disaster, Turkey’s donations to Pakistan exceeded 51 million $, both in kind and in cash.

Turkey and Pakistan have maintained long standing military ties. Military and strategic relations have also grown significantly during the AK Party’s rule in Turkey. Pakistani armed forces are already using Turkish made MKEK 155mm Panter howitzers, now under-licensed production in Pakistan by Heavy Industries, Taxila (HIT). And Turkey’s aerospace giant Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) is performing mid life up-gradation (MLU) to Pakistan’s older F-16 block-15 fighter Aircrafts.
Recent reports suggests that Turkey is aggressively lobbying to sell locally produced T-129 Atak gunship helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F Cobra fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so, according to the sources. Pakistani media reports stated that a deal with Turkey could lead to local production of the T-129 in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. PAC, Kamra is also manufacturing parts of Turkish Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV), ANKA produced by TAI.

Pakistani Navy has already inducted MRTP 15 and MRTP 33 fast attack boats produced by Yonca - Onuk Shipyard in Turkey. Now, its Navy is also showing interest in Turkish Milgem class corvette.
Pakistani President, Mamoon Husain, attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on August 28, though it was Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was supposed to attend the ceremony; it had to be cancelled at the last moment due to a political turmoil in his country.

To facilitate Afghanistan–Pakistan dialogue, Turkey has been hosting the trilateral negotiation by Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan, dating back to April 2007.
Turkey’s rising profile in economy and defense equipment manufacturing provides Pakistan a cushion against tainted western sanctions and an alternate source against the former’s heavy reliance on Chinese military gear.

United States, China and Saudi Arabia from decades, have been the three most influential players in Pakistan. Turkey a relatively new entrant may be an errant for few- if not all- of them.
Thus, the growing mutuality between Pakistan and Turkey in varying spheres cannot be treated as incidental; it is deeply rooted in the history of both the nations, and which is bound to grow further substantially in the upcoming geo-political scenario around the world.

Writer on twitter* @mpervezbilgrami
Courtesy: World Bulletin, 3 September 2014

Modernizasyonu Tamamlanan F 16'lar Pakistan'a Teslim Edildi

Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi (TAI) tarafından modernizasyonu tamamlanan Pakistan Hava Kuvvetleri’ne ait 41 adet F-16’nın son 4 tanesi de törenle teslim edildi.

Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi (TAI) tarafından modernizasyonu tamamlanan Pakistan Hava Kuvvetleri’ne ait 41 adet F-16’nın son 4 tanesi de törenle teslim edildi.

Pakistan Hava Kuvvetleri’nin envanterinde bulunan 41 adet Blok 15 F-16 uçağı modernizasyonu için açmış olduğu ve F-16 Modernizasyonu konusunda sayılı yeterlilikte firmanın davet edildiği ihaleyi Tusaş kazandı. 29 Haziran 2009 tarihinde, Pakistan’da, Pakistan Savunma Bakanlığı ve Tusaş arasında resmi bir törenle imzalanan anlaşma ile yürürlüğe giren programın ilk üç uçağı 2010 yılında modernizasyonu yapıldı.

Ankara’da bulunan TAI merkezinde düzenlenen törenle de modernizasyonu tamamlanan son dört F 16 teslim edildi. Törene, Pakistan hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığıdan Korgeneral Sohail Aman, Tusaş Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Yalçın Kaya, Pakistan Büyükelçisi Muhammad Haroon Shaukat ve projede yer alan askeri ve sivil yöneticiler katıldı. 

Bugüne kadar 41 uçağın modernizasyonunun tamamlanmasının ardından son 4 uçak da Pakistan Hava Kuvvetleri'ne teslim edildi. Tusaş Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Yalçın Kaya, yapılan düzenlemelerle birlikte uçakların her şarta hazır olduğunu söyledi. Tusaş Uçak Grup Başkanı Özcan Ertem de, modernizasyon hakkında törene katılanlara bilgi verdi. 

Türkiye ve Pakistanlı yöneticiler daha sonra, projenin tamamlanması anısına hazırlanan plaketi imzaladı.
Courtesy: Haberler

The Last Four TAI-Modernized F-16s Were Delivered To Pakistan Air Force

Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) delivered the last four F-16 aircraft to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) under Pakistan F-16 Modernization Program, at a ceremony held at TAI's facilities in Ankara, Turkey, on September 02, 2014.
The avionics and structural modernization of 41 F-16s of Pakistan Air Force, under the program which was effected by a contract between TAI and Pakistan Ministry of Defense in 2009, was performed at TAI's facilities. Pakistan Air Force personnel also have been qualified for the modernization by having classroom and on-the-job training given by TAI and have participated to the work performed at TAI.
Many high level authorities among whom were Pakistan Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Air Marshal Sohail Aman, Pakistan Ambassador HE Muhammad Haroon Shaukat,  Turkish Air Force Chief of Staff Lt.Gen. Mehmet Şanver, Deputy Undersecretary for Defense Industries Dr. Faruk Özlü, TAI's Chairman of the Board Yalçın Kaya, Deputy General Manager Turkish Armed Forces Foundation Atilla Gürdere and TAI's President & CEO Muharrem Dörtkaşlı participated in the ceremony.
Being among the well-known companies in the world and in the field of F-16 modernization, TAI successfully realized PAF F-16 Modernization Program and has proved its success in the world's aerospace and defense arena. The quality and performance of the program was highly appreciated by Pakistan Air Force and has been valued as the precedent of success and cooperation between Pakistan Air Force and TAI for the future projects. This appraisal will also substantiate the collaboration between two countries for the future.
2 September 2014
Courtesy: TAI


Pakistan-Turkey relations to hit new heights - Pakistan President

Pakistan's president has predicted that Pakistani-Turkish relations will reach new heights under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ahmet Davutoglu, Anadolu agency reported.

In an interview with The Anadolu Agency, Mamnoon Hussain welcomed the appointment of Davutoglu, Turkey's former foreign minister, as prime minister following Erdogan's appointment as president.

He said: "Davutoglu is a very nice person and a great friend of Pakistan. I am sure, with these two in the saddle as president and prime minister, our relations will grow to more heights, God willing, in future."

Hussain, who attended Erdogan's swearing-in ceremony in Ankara on Thursday, added: "Pakistanis have a very special feeling for the Turkish people and it is a very significant thing. We can't express that feeling in words, it is such a feeling between the peoples of our two countries.

"I can express that all Pakistanis think, if something is good for Turkish people, it is good for Pakistanis. If something is bad for Turkish people, it is bad for Pakistanis too. I mean this is a special sort of feeling."

Hussain described the presidential oath ceremony as a "great occasion for the Turkish people."

"This is a very special occasion for the Turkish nation and I am proud to be a part of this celebration," he added. "Mr Erdogan has left a very significant mark on the history of Turkey with his achievements in the last 10 to 12 years as prime minister.

"Whatever he has done or achieved in the last 10 to 12 years, he will achieve even more success for the Turkish people and his country as a president."

Turning to Pakistan's relations with India, Afghanistan, Iran and China, Hussain said Pakistan strove for good relations with all its neighbors, especially India and Afghanistan.

"We want a government of and for the people of Afghanistan after the NATO forces go from Afghanistan and we want to help Afghanistan," he explained.

The president discussed an economic corridor between Pakistan and China that will include a 4,000km highway to benefit the whole Middle East and central Asia.

Energy projects with China would help Pakistan achieve the goal of providing electricity for its whole population in the next three-and-a-half years.

Turkish firms are also working in Pakistan on infrastructure, transport and energy projects, Hussain added, inviting Turkish investors to come to Pakistan.

Hussain focused on law and order and Pakistan's energy crisis as the "two menaces" facing the country.

"We hope that we will solve these problems with the help of friendly countries like Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia," he said.
Courtesy: TrendAZ
External link http://en.trend.az/world/turkey/2306626.html

President of Pakistan visits Konya

KONYA - Turkey, 30 August 2014: The President of Pakistan Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, who is currently on an official visit to Turkey, visited Konya.  He was warmly received today by Governor Konya Mr. Muammer Erol, Mayor Mr. Tahir Akyurek, Garrison commander and other senior officials at the Airport.

During his meeting with Governor Konya on the occasion , the President said that the people of Pakistan have great love for the people of Konya and keep Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi in great reverence. He said spiritual message of Mevlana Rumi has served to unite humanity from all religions and all walks of life. The President said it is the need of the present times as well that we should put aside our difference and celebrate our commonalities. “Our national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal was the spiritual disciple of Mevlana Rumi. Iqbal’s thought for Pakistan and the people of Pakistan has been inspired by Rumi’s message of love and self-individuation,” said the President.

Governor Konya said the people of Konya have also great love for the people of Pakistan and greatly valued their support for the Turkish War of Independence.

To pay homage to the great Sufi saint of the Muslim world, the President and his delegation visited the mausoleum of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. He also visited the shrine of Hazrat Shams-e-Tabrizi who was the teacher of Mevlana Rumi. The President mixed with local people.

Later the President was presented a guard of honour upon his departure for Pakistan. Governor, Mayor and Garrison commander of Konya bid farewell to the Pakistani President.
More fotos on http://goo.gl/gxZjZt