Republic of Turkey Historical Ties with Islamic Democratic Republic Of Pakistan

Republic of Turkey Is located in Western Asia with the portion of Eastern Thrace in Southeastern Europe. Ankara is the capital city , its currency is Lira ($ one USD =2.46125TRY) . Its main cities are Istanbul, Anatolia , Cappadocia , Izmir and Bodrum .There are numerous historical places like Sultan Ahmed Masjid ,Hagia Sophia , Topkapi Palace , Pamukkale and Basilica Cistern etc are the places with lots of interests of the masses of every culture. The tomb of syedna Hazrat Ayub Ansari (R.A) is also situated in Istanbul.

Republic of Turkey is privileged by having eight neighboring countries like Bulgraito, in the northwest Greece, in the west is Georgia, in the north east Armina , Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south . The Mediterranean Sea is on its South where as Aegean Seato on the west and the Black Sea is on its north coast. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles (which together from the Turkish Straits) demarcate the boundary between Thrace and Anatolia; which also considered as boundary line between Europe and Asia. The strategic geographical location of Republic of Turkey is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia which makes it a country of highly significant as its geo-strategic importance.

The Ottoman Empire entered a long period of decline in 19th century and the Tanzimat reforms of the century aiming to modernize the Ottoman state could not provide sufficient coverage to all the fields. The Ottoman Empire entered in the World War 1914-18. In 1923 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had laid the foundation of the modern Republic of Turkey and become its first President.

Turkey is a democratic, secular, constitutional republic with diverse cultural heritage. The country’s official language is Turkish. The vast majority of the population is Muslim. Turkey is member of UN, NATO, OECD, OSCE, OIC AND G-20. The country’s growing economy and diplomatic initiatives have led to its recognition as a regional power under the leadership of President Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu. Turkey was among the first few countries who had established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. The bilateral relations between the two brother nations became increasingly close with each passing day in owing to cultural, religious and geopolitical links.

The founder of Pakistan H.E Muhammad Ali Jinnah had expressed his admiration for the founding father of Turkey H.E Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Similarly Pakistan would also follow the footsteps of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama sir Muhammad Iqbal to develop a modern Islamic democratic republic of Pakistan. The founding father of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah has always been honored as a great leader in Turkey. The naming of major road of the capital of Turkey in Ankara ‘ Cinnah Caddesi is named after the name of Jinnah and indeed the roads in Islamabad , Karachi , Lahore , Peshawar and Larkana are named after the name of Founding father of modern Turkey H.E Kamal Ataturk. Maintaining of this reciprocal honor for each others leaders are still continuing as in 2010 ‘an Interchange’ near Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore was named on the name of Abdullah Gull then Turkish President during his visit to Lahore.

On 26 October 2009, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was awarded the “Nishan-e-Pakistan’ and was honored to address the Pakistani parliament which made to become the fourth Global great leader who acquired this great honor. While in his address his compliment for Pakistan included as said and I quote ‘Pakistan had always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the Turkish government and the people alike’.

As far as developments in cultural relations are concerns both Pakistan and Turkey are mutually influenced by Arab, Greek, Turko-Mongol and Persian Cultures. Anatolia region in Central and Eastern Turkey was occupied multiple times by Persian Empires and as a result has Persian cultural and linguistic influence since ancient times. The Indus Valley region of Pakistan was occupied by the Achaemenid empire going back to the fifth century which also has left traces of ancient Persian culture in the region of Pakistan as well as linguistic influence on the local languages.Turkey is home of numerous ancient European civilizations, including Greek. The country has many traces of cultural and historical influences from the ancient Greeks including Greek archeological sites found in the region. On the other hand Pakistan also became influenced by Greek culture and civilization, especially in the aftermath of the invasion of Alexander the Great of the region which later led to the formation of the Indo –Greek Kingdom Gandhara as a major site of ancient Greek legacy in Pakistan.

Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8). Both nations have worked to negotiate a preferential trading agreement, aiming to considerably increase trade and investments, especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries. Both governments have sought to increase the volume of bilateral trade from $690 million to more than $1 billion by 2010. Recently both courtiers have construed a three-year bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement (CSA) between the State Bank of Pakistan and the Central Bank of Republic of Turkey (CBRT) amounting to $ 1 billion in equivalent local currencies is being implemented from Tuesday and SBP has issued necessary instructions to banks for its implementation after due consultations with various stakeholders and completion of operational formalities with CBRT.

A container Train Service has been launched in 2009 between Islamabad and Istanbul and the inauguration day was carefully selected as 14th August the independence day of Pakistan. The first train carried 20 containers with a capacity of around 750 t (738 long tons; 827 short tons) and left on long journey to cover about 6,500 km (4,000 mi) in two week from Islamabad via Baluchistan and Tehran .There are also hopes the route will eventually provide a link to Europe and Central Asia, with many passengers on board.

Written By:
Dr. Raja. M. Javaid Janjua

(Bureau Chief UNP, Islamabad)