Turkish Forum English

Category: Pakistan

Turkey-Pakistan trade deal seen next year

Turkey-Pakistan trade deal seen next year

Article | December 11, 2011 – 1:50pm

Turkey and Pakistan will finalise the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) next year to boost bilateral trade, Murat M. Onart, Consul General Republic of Turkey, said at a meeting with members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Zaman reported.

The consul general said that the signing of agreement will help in boosting trade up to $2 billion between the two countries. Although both countries have potential but it was noted that trade volume was very low.

The two countries have only $900 million worth of trade in which, Pakistan exports to Turkey were $750 million and imports were $150 million. The consul general said that Turkey inclines towards European market because its businessmen have better opportunities in those countries compared to regional markets. He also called on to improve construction sector. In this regard he said that that political support must be involved and government-to-government link is necessary to invest in this sector.

On a request from KCCI that Turkey should invest in mineral rich province of Balochistan, the diplomat said that due to security concerns in the area, Turkish and other investors were shy to come to this area. “Until restoration of complete peace it is difficult to consider about investment,” he added. He, however, said that the recent ECO chambers conference had agenda for investing in Balochistan.

He said Turkey would like to foster the trade, as it is a confidence building measure between countries. Various sectors for investment were outlined during the meeting. Shipping and railway links were also being considered between the two countries.

via Turkey-Pakistan trade deal seen next year | New Europe.

December 12, 2011
Bin Laden honored in Turkey

ISTANBUL. – The demonstration dedicated to 18 Turkish Taliban members, who died at the U.S. operation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, took place in Istanbul’s Fatih mosque. The Reuters presented this event as “Taliban photos from Istanbul”, the Turkish Posta informs.

In one of the photographs presented by the media people carry a poster with Bin Laden’s photograph.

“Martyr, your way is also our way,” reads the poster.

The 18 Taliban members, who died on November 16 during the U.S. military operations, were Turks.

via Bin Laden honored in Turkey (PHOTOS) | Armenia News – NEWS.am.

December 5, 2011
NATO plans in Afghanistan imprudent, destructive: Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has called NATO plans in Afghanistan harmful and ill-advised and warned of their global repercussions.

Salehi made the remarks during a speech at a conference on Afghanistan, which was held in Istanbul on Wednesday.

“The spread and the institutionalization of terrorism, the increase in the production and the smuggling of illicit drugs, the rise in organized crimes, the massive killing of civilians, and the destruction of cities and villages are the results of the unwise and destructive plans of NATO and the United States in the country (Afghanistan), all of which are regarded as serious security threats to the region and the world,” Salehi stated.

He also said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to the conclusion of a strategic agreement between the U.S. and Afghanistan.”

“Based on an agreement made between NATO and Afghanistan at the NATO summit in Lisbon, it was agreed that foreign forces would disengage from Afghanistan and hand over security responsibility to Afghan forces,” the Iranian foreign minister remarked.

He added, “Unfortunately, evidence shows that the U.S. intends to extend its military presence in Afghanistan to achieve its extra-regional purposes, and the issue of rooting out terrorism was nothing but a pretext for (establishing) a military presence in Afghanistan and the region.”

The top diplomat went on to say that the presence of military bases of foreign forces in Afghanistan promotes extremism and terrorism in the region.

Elsewhere, in his speech to the conference, Salehi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes any measure meant to promote peace in Afghanistan and believe that regional countries, particularly (Afghanistan’s) neighboring countries can play key and important roles in adopting security measures and contributing to peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has so far hosted the trilateral meeting of the leaders and other officials of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and has participated in regional and international meetings on Afghanistan,” Salehi said.

He also stated that Iran has also played its full part in the reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

He added, “Insecurity and instability in Afghanistan has inflicted great pain on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and (Iran) regards any positive development in this regard as a step forward toward promoting regional security and its national security.”

Iran has suffered heavy losses in the war on drugs and terrorism, Salehi said, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that extremism, terrorism, and violence has nothing to do with a specific culture, religion, and nationality, and terrorism cannot be defeated only by military means, and it is necessary that its roots be identified and eliminated.”

Collective efforts are needed to combat terrorism and drugs, he pointed out.

Peace talks should continue

Commenting on the assassinations of prominent Afghan figures, the Iranian foreign minister said that those assassinations only serve the interests of those who are seeking to hamper peace talks in Afghanistan and have plans to divide up the country.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan could be achieved through the continuation of talks among Afghan groups,” Salehi said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Salehi held separate talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, in which the sides discussed ties and the latest developments in the region.

via NATO plans in Afghanistan imprudent, destructive: Iran – Tehran Times.

November 3, 2011
Pakistan, Turkey agree to upgrade track for Gul Train

Pakistan, Turkey agree to upgrade track for Gul Train

ISTANBUL Nov 1 (APP): The proposed Gul Train project took a step forward on Tuesday when the Presidents of Pakistan and Turkey agreed to further upgrade it so as to cover the distance between Ankara and Islamabad in just 11 days instead of 16 days. The project idea was first floated by President Zardari last year to enter into a joint venture for locomotive manufacture in Pakistan for the special cargo train service. Spokesperson to President Farhatulalh Babar said that the decision was taken during a special briefing on the proposed train project held soon after the delegation level talks between the two Presidents in Istanbul on the sidelines of the trilateral summit of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey.

It was also decided that after the successful upgradation of the existing track and whetting the appetite of private entrepreneurs, the second phase of the project be also launched.

The second phase would include laying of a entirely new railway track in Pakistan specially for super fast goods train running at over 150 kilometers per hour speed, he said.

The briefing was informed that a special logistics management company called TOBB had already been formed and experts from the two countries will meet next month in Pakistan to take the project further forward.

The two test runs of the train carried out during the last two months had shown that the trains covered the distance in 16 days and the project was very feasible. The test runs and the studies carried out thus far had also shown that the initial project feasibility was better than expected, the meeting was informed.

The meeting was informed that the project had been endorsed by the ECO High Level Expert Group meeting in Ankara last month and an informal working group had already been formed in Ankara for the purpose.

Farhatullah Babar said that it was also decided to convene an international conference in January 2012 on connectivity in Pakistan to raise awareness of the international private sector in the viability of the project and to attract entrepreneurs.

In an intervention the Turkish President Abdullah Gul proposed that the 11 day Ankara-Islamabad train proposal be finalized within six months. President Gul further said that he would be ready to give some more time for finalizing the 11-day proposal if the travel time could be further reduced to less than ten days between Ankara and Islamabad, Farhatullah Babar said.

President Zardari remarked that he envisaged the Gul Train opening up new vistas of communication, opening up hitherto inaccessible markets and boosting trade of the three countries of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey within the region and beyond.

via Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan’s Premier NEWS Agency ) – Pakistan, Turkey agree to upgrade track for Gul Train.

November 2, 2011
Nawaz wants Istanbul-like transport system

LAHORE (INP) – PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has asked Istanbul Transport Authority Director General Dr Harry Brochlor to send a high-level delegation to Lahore as he wanted to introduce Istanbul-like modern traffic system in the Punjab capital and other cities of the country.

According to a press release issued here Saturday, he visited the Transport Authority Istanbul and was welcomed by its director general and other senior officers. Brochlor informed him that there was coordinated and computerised public transport system in Istanbul that included 4,837 buses, trams, metro and other public transport. He said the computerised cards introduced for using public transport could also be used as credit cards in shops and restaurants.

He said senior citizens and students enjoy special facility in public transport and the city has an ancient public transport system and still 136-year-old tram is being used and people travel through it. He added that to keep this system operational, transport authority had 9,000 employees. He apprised Nawaz of Transport Operate System and travelled with Nawaz in 136-year-old tram. Nawaz thanked Brochlor and urged him to send a high-level delegation to Lahore so that modern traffic system could also be introduced in Lahore on the pattern of Istanbul. Brochlor accepted this request and said after Eidul Azha, the delegation would visit Lahore and make planning regarding modernisation of transport sector.

via Nawaz wants Istanbul-like transport system | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online.

October 31, 2011
The Istanbul conference: Washington’s vision for the region

By Shahbaz Rana

Published: October 28, 2011

Pakistan is now left with the choice of either aligning themselves more closely with China, or preferring to work with the New Silk Roads

ISLAMABAD:

As key world and regional players gear up to meet in Istanbul to push forward a Washington-backed regional integration plan for an ‘economically stable Afghanistan’, Pakistan stands at a crossroads. The question Islamabad is grappling with is whether it’s time to become a partner, or whether it should maintain its historical position – keep India away from resource-rich Central Asia.

As part of a broader economic integration strategy, Washington is selling the “New Silk Roads” concept- a network of roads and rails to connect Far East Asia and South Asia with Central Asia and then the West.

Leaders from 12 nations are to meet in Istanbul on November 2 with the stated objective of persuading regional players to commit to a stable and independent Afghanistan and to discuss regional economic cooperation. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, USA and United Kingdom are to attend.

Political pundits have termed the Istanbul Conference a prelude to the Bonn Conference, where delegations from 90 countries are expected to formulate a practical roadmap for 2014 – the year the US has said it will withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

Defence, economic and geostrategic experts say the broader objective of the strategy is to consolidate gains made in Afghanistan and strengthen the US grip on Central Asian resources to be used either by Americans or preferred partners like India. One of the objectives is to create hurdles in energy-hungry China’s bid to get unrestricted access to Central Asian resources, they add. Pakistan is now left with the choice of either aligning themselves more closely with China, or preferring to work with the New Silk Roads as the dichotomy grows stronger.

According to the United States Institute of Peace, a Congress-funded think tank, there are hopes that the New Silk Roads concept of an integrated trade and transportation network through Afghanistan can bring regional players and interlocutors together and attract new sources of investment.

Long time coming

A senior government functionary said that the US has been working on the proposal for a longer time. He said that the reorganisation of the US State Department in 2004 when it merged its Central Asia and South Asia desks was an important step towards this direction. Robin Raphael, former US ambassador to Pakistan on civilian assistance, has been assigned the New Silk Roads project.

Pakistan’s options

“Americans want to consolidate gains in Afghanistan whether Pakistan readily becomes partner to the new concept or not,” said Tanvir Ahmed Khan, former secretary of foreign affairs. On the other hand, Washington will be displeased if Pakistan refuses to give India access to Afghanistan, fearing the possibility of an alternative India-Iran nexus, envisaged by New Delhi as the “North silk route”. Khan maintains that it would be in Pakistan’s interest to become partner in any regional arrangement, better sooner than later.

A senior official of the foreign office, however, took a cautious line on whether Islamabad would support the initiative. Without commenting on the New Silk Roads, the official said: “Regional connectivity is a centuries-old concept and Pakistan would appreciate any effort towards that objective”.

Another official said that Pakistan wanted a greater role in economic development of Afghanistan, and did not want caught in the uncomfortable position of being isolated while sandwiched between India and Afghanistan.

But for the US, he added, the New Silk Roads is an integral part of a three-pronged strategy designed to exit and integrate post-US Afghanistan with the rest of the region. Keeping this in mind, Pakistan will have to mend its ways and make up its mind in the next two years, he said.

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke on the matter hesitantly, saying “Pakistan will have to see both the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a partner in the New Silk Roads concept,” he added.

Pros and cons

The obvious advantage is that regional economic integration would bring economic benefits – but then, there’s the issue of Indian involvement and New Delhi’s subsequent access to Central Asia, he added. Qureshi said that the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement was signed on the condition of excluding India from the treaty. However, Tanvir Khan said Pakistan will ultimately have to give India access. He was of the view that eventually, even China will have to be taken on board.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2011.

via The Istanbul conference: Washington’s vision for the region – The Express Tribune.

October 29, 2011