Türkiye, Pakistan Poised for Regional Leadership: Ali Sahin

News Desk 

Ankara: Ali Şahin, a member of the Turkish Parliament and Chairman of the Turkish-Pakistani Parliamentary Friendship Group, has emphasized that certain international powers are not supportive of stability and development in Pakistan.

He highlighted the existence of various conspiracies aimed at weakening and dividing Pakistan, stressing the need for addressing these issues effectively.

Speaking to a group of journalists alongside Shabana Ayaz, the head of the Turkish-Pakistani Women’s Forum, Şahin, who also holds a central leadership position in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey, shared his personal experiences and fond memories of Pakistan, where he pursued higher education and served in various capacities within Turkish missions.

He particularly expressed his love for Pakistani cuisine.

Şahin underscored the strategic significance of Pakistan’s geographical location and emphasized the importance of economic strength, political stability, and regional leadership for Pakistan to effectively navigate its role in the region.

Islamic Unity Against Oppression

In response to a question regarding the dire situation in Palestine, he expressed, “We are diligently striving to put an end to the current appalling circumstances.” 

Turkey and Pakistan, as two closely linked nations within the Islamic community, have the potential to assume pivotal roles in bringing an end to the reign of terror perpetuated by Israel.

However, presently, there lacks a cohesive mechanism to address this crisis. He further emphasized the economic challenges faced by Islamic nations, underscoring their limited resources.

Sahin highlighted the detrimental impact of Western intervention, citing the example of Afghanistan where US involvement led to prolonged suffering without resolution, ultimately exacerbating terrorism.

To bring peace to the Middle East, the relationship between Türkiye and Pakistan should be improved and strengthened.

Bilateral Ties 

Advocating for strengthened ties between Turkey and Pakistan, he stressed the importance of enhancing trade, defense, and cultural exchanges.

Sahin lamented the current inadequacy of economic and trade relations between the two nations, citing a mere $1.2 billion bilateral trade volume, which he deemed insufficient given the respective populations of Pakistan and Turkey.

He emphasized the necessity of eliminating current obstacles in our relationships. Over the past decade, our defense ties with Pakistan have significantly strengthened. 

Turkey has made impressive strides in the defense sector. It’s imperative to initiate a joint defense project between Turkey and Pakistan.

Transcontinental Trade Network

Ali Şahin said that Turkey is actively engaged in a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at developing roads that will connect four neighboring countries: Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, and the Emirates.

The ultimate goal is to establish a link with the West to enhance trade activities in the region.

He proposed that Pakistan, Iran, and China should also join forces in this endeavor, noting Pakistan’s pivotal role in the transformative China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which promises to reshape global trade dynamics.

Connecting these two projects, he emphasized, would catalyze a global revolution, fostering economic prosperity, political stability, and regional security.

Dual Citizenship Dynamics

Regarding dual citizenship, Ali Sahin said that there’s a strong sense of kinship between Turks and Pakistanis, with each considering themselves citizens of the other’s country. “The problem of dual citizenship is not a problem of Türkiye but of the European Union. Türkiye is trying to become a part of the European Union,” he stated. 

“The European Union does not allow us to have dual citizenship. It will take time, but Pakistanis should consider themselves citizens of Türkiye.”

On the question of providing health insurance to overstayed visas and illegal residents in Turkiye, Ali Sahin said that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Embassy, and Ambassador Dr Yusuf Junaid to resolve this issue.

 “We are making efforts to resolve the issue and provide facilities. Turkey’s efforts to become part of Europe have some obstacles,” he explained.

“Pakistani and Turkish authorities are making efforts to resolve this issue legally. A meeting is expected in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next month, in which we will try our best to resolve this issue.”

Ali Sahin added that diplomatic and parliamentary relations are not enough for enhancing ties between the countries, but the exchange of cultural activities is a must to bring people closer to each other. “Türkiye is thinking of making a drama on Mahmud Ghaznavi.

He also suggested that Pakistani dramas should also be broadcasted on Turkish channels. He expressed his admiration for Pakistani dramas like “Kashkol” and “Dhuhan”.

Sahin’s Pakistani Connection

While recounting his educational journey in Pakistan to Shabana Ayaz, he shared a poignant sentiment: upon arriving in Karachi, he was warmly welcomed by the locals, who affectionately declared it his “second homeland.” However, he respectfully disagreed, asserting that Pakistan wasn’t a secondary home but rather his own homeland.

Reflecting on his decision to pursue education in Pakistan in 1990, he revealed that he had two options: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Ultimately, he chose Pakistan due to the profound affection its people held for Turkey. He found it challenging to articulate the depth of this love in mere words.

In his perspective, this love for Pakistan is ingrained genetically within their generations. He mused that when a child is born in Turkey, they inherently carry within them a predisposition to love Pakistan, just as a child born in Pakistan naturally holds an affinity for Turkey. To him, this mutual affection is nothing short of a divine blessing.

I didn’t just travel to Pakistan for my studies; I forged meaningful friendships there. Exploring the homes of Pakistani families post-study provided insights into their living conditions. Being identified as a Turk in Pakistan opened doors for me, offering warm hospitality. Returning to Turkey in 1997, my curiosity about Pakistan remained strong. With the advent of the internet, I kept abreast of Pakistani news, TV channels, and social media updates.

Reflecting on my time in Karachi, I developed a deep appreciation for Pakistani cuisine, particularly chicken biryani, although some of my fellow students struggled with the spices.

Serving as Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs for three years necessitated trips to Europe, where I preferred dining at Pakistani restaurants, especially for biryani, over European cuisine.