What's new

Erdogan: Turkish election victory for Erdogan leaves nation divided

Lonewarrior

Lonewarrior

First Class Star
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Runs
3,416
5da140b6bb71c.jpg


ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to arrive in Pakistan on 13th of February, ARY News reported.

A senior diplomatic source told ARY News that Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive in Islamabad on a two-day official visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Turkish president will hold important meetings with the civil and military leadership of the country during his stay in Islamabad.

The official maintained that a rousing welcome will be accorded to Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his arrival in the country.
Click to expand...

https://arynews.tv/en/erdogan-visit-pakistan-next-month/
 
The meeting of the two self-appointed Caliphs.

I wonder if the Turkish caliph will make things awkward and ask our caliph about his absence in the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Nevertheless, the real meeting will be between Erdogan and Bajwa, with the transcripts of the meeting getting faxed to Pentagon.
 
Mamoon said:
The meeting of the two self-appointed Caliphs.

I wonder if the Turkish caliph will make things awkward and ask our caliph about his absence in the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Nevertheless, the real meeting will be between Erdogan and Bajwa, with the transcripts of the meeting getting faxed to Pentagon.
Click to expand...

Which leaders should Imran Khan do business with or the Pakistani government? Repeating the same thing daily without offering an alternative view is something a parrot does.
 
Mamoon said:
The meeting of the two self-appointed Caliphs.

I wonder if the Turkish caliph will make things awkward and ask our caliph about his absence in the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Nevertheless, the real meeting will be between Erdogan and Bajwa, with the transcripts of the meeting getting faxed to Pentagon.
Click to expand...

Have any of them said they are the Caliphs? Or are you just making up things?
 
happy for him.

Just make sure the driver is ready to receive him from the Airport.
hope does not go to pick King Suliman while he waiting at the Airport.
 
Last edited:
Pak-Turk dual nationality is being seriously discussed. Would be a great thing if it can be pulled off.
 
Turkish president arrives on two-day visit today

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reaching Pakistan on Thursday (today) on a two-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and economic ties.

The Foreign Office said the Turkish president would visit Pakistan from Feb 13 to 14 for underscoring “traditional solidarity and affinity” between the two countries and further “deepening and broadening of the flourishing Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership”.

Mr Erdogan, who will be accompanied on the trip by his cabinet members, senior government officials, leading Turkish business figures, would co-chair with Prime Minister Imran Khan the 6th session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), address a joint session of parliament on Friday for the record fourth time and speak at the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum.

Turkey and Pakistan are expected to sign a number of important agreements/memorandums of understanding to formalise some of the understandings that would be reached during the HLSCC meeting.

The HLSCC is the highest-level decision-making forum that provides strategic direction to the ties. There are seven joint working groups under the HLSCC working on political coordination, trade and investment, energy, banking and finance, transport and communications, culture and tourism and education.

HLSCC meetings are held alternatively in Islamabad and Ankara.

Mr Erdogan will also meet with PM Khan and President Arif Alvi.

PM Khan is expected to invite Turkey to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He had in an interview with a Turkish newswire said: “We hope to involve them in using CPEC for further connectivity, and we hope to involve Turkey in this [CPEC]”.

Mr Khan wants Turkish businesses to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector and engage in technology transfer projects.

About the proposals for promoting economic ties, the FO said: “Both sides place a strong emphasis on forging a robust economic relationship”.

There are also plans for “vibrant cooperation” in tackling Islamophobia, promoting Islamic solidarity and advancing shared goals of regional peace, security and stability.

“Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterised by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding. The two brotherly countries have always been each other’s steadfast partners. Turkey supports the cause of self-determination for the people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus,” the FO said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1534180/turkish-president-arrives-on-two-day-visit-today
 
KingKhanWC said:
Which leaders should Imran Khan do business with or the Pakistani government? Repeating the same thing daily without offering an alternative view is something a parrot does.
Click to expand...

Hilarious that this clown Mamoons leader Nawaz was the one who tried to officially get himself called the Amir-ul-Mu'meneen :))
 
KingKhanWC said:
Which leaders should Imran Khan do business with or the Pakistani government? Repeating the same thing daily without offering an alternative view is something a parrot does.
Click to expand...

Thats his template- like an old auntie he just says things without ever saying anything worth hearing.
Great put down, no wonder he disappeared from the thread
 
Turkey-Pakistan friendship: From past to present

617



resident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad today as part of the first head of a state visit by a foreign leader to Pakistan in 2020. The two-day visit will see the president joined by a high profile delegation holding bilateral talks with Pakistan's president and prime minister, Imran Khan. The two countries are likely to sign a number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in various fields, while Erdoğan will also meet leading Pakistani political figures and attend various planned events, including an address of a joint session of the Senate and National Assembly on Friday.

The most important part of this visit will be marked by the announcement of a landmark deal for dual nationality between Turkey and Pakistan. The two countries are considering a plan to make it easier to provide dual nationality for their citizens, in what would be a significant boost in relations. Recently, this idea came to light during a meeting between Pakistan's Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmad Shah and Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan İhsan Mustafa Yurdakul – a very active Turkish diplomat who commands immense respect across the country. When the move was proposed by Yurdakul, Shah responded that the draft for the law would fall "under consideration" and that they hoped "to reach a mutual conclusion soon."

It is expected that the matter will be discussed over the course of the visit, along with other matters related to bilateral relations, including military cooperation, the upgrading of law enforcement tools and training for officers. The Pakistani Interior Ministry also welcomed the idea of introducing a motorcycle patrol force in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police which would be modeled on the Dolphin Force introduced in Lahore. The elite security force was launched in Punjab in 2016 and partly trained by Turkey for the purpose of tackling street crime and ensuring security around the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Under the citizenship initiative, meanwhile, the citizens of Pakistan and Turkey would be able to attain joint citizenship and dual passports from each others' countries, adding significantly to their already strong relations. Earlier this month, Pakistan extended the scheduled date for the delivery of Turkey's T129 attack helicopters, which were delayed due to U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey. In May last year, Pakistan also added Turkey to its visa-free travel list which aims to promote tourism and business between the two countries.

The preamble leading up to the Turkish president's visit laid out various historical facts about the two countries' relations. Bilateral ties between Turkey and Pakistan have historically been exemplary, and the two brotherly countries have never left each other stranded in times of need. Turkey has always remained a close friend of Pakistan over the years. Pakistan, on the other hand, is going through a difficult phase in its war against militancy and extremism, but as a nation, Pakistan has shown that it has ample capacity to rid itself of such problems. In addition to political and security-related cooperation between the two countries, there is also a need to focus on further strengthening economic and trade cooperation.

Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey and desires to further strengthen it through people-to-people contact. Turkey has remained a strategic partner of Pakistan, and it is highly likely that this visit will diversify its economic relations in all sectors of the economy. Pakistan acknowledges Turkey's contributions to the war against terrorism.

Sharing mutual benefits

Turkey has continued supporting Pakistan over the years, and the friendship between the two countries is historic. These relations have been traditionally strong, with both nations maintaining extensive cultural, commercial, strategic and military cooperation. Both Turkey and Pakistan are Muslim-majority states and share extensive cultural and geopolitical links.

Turkey established diplomatic relations soon after Pakistan declared independence in 1947, and bilateral relations became very close due to the pair's cultural, religious and geopolitical links. Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, expressed admiration for Turkey's founding leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and expressed a desire to develop Pakistan on the Turkish model of modernism and secularism. Jinnah is honored as a great leader in Turkey, and a major road of the Turkish capital Ankara, Cinnah Caddesi, is named after him, while roads in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, are named after Atatürk as a gesture of the love and attachment that both nations have for one another.

The sentiments of brotherhood that Pakistanis have for the people of Turkey have their roots in history. This history of Pakistani-Turkish relations is a story of concern and cooperation. They have been friends and supported each other in times of war and peace. The story of their friendship is spread almost over a century. The institution of Khilafat has occupied a very important place in the history of Islamic peoples.

The year 1947 was a crucial period in the history of the modern world. On one hand, the old order started crumbling with the partition of Europe into two separate spheres, while on the other, the Indian subcontinent was divided into the two independent states of Pakistan and India. The most desired dream of the Indian Muslims transformed into a reality when they got their own separate homeland in Pakistan – the "land of the pure" and a custodian of ancient civilization and culture.

Pakistan established diplomatic relations with Turkey after the partition. The Muslims of the subcontinent learned valuable lessons and gained inspiration from their Turkish brethren during their fight for independence. The crucial years of the Khilafat Movement, from 1919 to 1922, played a pivotal role in the Pakistan movement launched by Indian Muslims on a mass scale. They not only stood in support of their Turkish brethren. Malik Firoze Khan Noon, on special instructions of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, visited Turkey in December 1947 and stated that: "Pakistan admires the glorious past of Turkey and its administrative achievements and organizational abilities in the past and present times. Pakistan is now two months old, and in the near future, the two brotherly countries are going to establish close cultural, commercial and political relations. A new happy era will emerge for these two countries."

Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, considered father of the nation and the first governor-general of Pakistan, at the time of the appointment of H. E. Mr. Yahya Kemal Beyatlı as first Turkish ambassador in Pakistan on March 4, 1948, stated that: "Turkey has drawn our admiration for the valor of Turkish people and the way in which your statesman and the leaders have struggled and fought almost single-handed in the midst of Europe for your freedom and sovereignty which is worth mentioning, 'I really can assure your excellency that the Muslims of Pakistan will entertain sentiments of affection and esteem for your country, and now Turkey and Pakistan both as free, sovereign and independent countries can strengthen their ties more and more for the good of both."

He also hoped that being Muslim countries, people of nations would put their genuine backing and teamwork into establishing closer political and cultural ties and thus contribute their share in the welfare and betterment of the subject of these two brotherly states.

In July 1964, President Ayub Khan visited Turkey. The Pakistani president disclosed later that during his meeting with Turkish leaders, they had expressed grave concern over the Cyprus situation. Therefore, he had promised to convey the Turkish concern to the forthcoming Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference in London. In response, the Turkish government expressed its hearty appreciation of the stance of the Pakistani government over the Cyprus issue. Turkish Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel expressed his gratitude for Pakistan's stand over the Cyprus issue in his visit to the country in April 1967.

Western press

Meanwhile, the Western media noted the new "lineup" made up of Turkey, Iran and Pakistan according to the framework of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). As one British newspaper commented: 'It is also significant, in the light of recent anti-western feelings in Turkey over Cyprus, that Turkey should be taking part in talks with Iran and Pakistan, which have in recent years adopted a more flexible policy towards the Soviet Union and China." The three countries Iran, Pakistan and Turkey may be regarded as belonging to a distinct cultural region.

A distinctly non-Arab and rather more Turko-Persian culture dominates the lives of the people across this region. Thus, besides Islam, they have many common bonds. They have been united under the Ottoman Empire and have produced many mutually admired political thinkers, historians, writers and poets. All three states, as members of CENTO shared broadly pro-Western policies. If we analyze their economic needs in the early 1960s, all three were moving toward industrialization and modernization. Their economic needs and goals all stood at a similar level in the beginning of the '60s. However, they then became disenchanted with the West and began looking for new avenues. In Iran, there was an evident trend toward national assertion as the country sought to lessen its embroilment in the Russian-American conflict. Iran, on account of cuts in economic assistance, and Pakistan, on account of a flow of U.S. arms to India after the Sino-India border conflict, sought greater independence.

The idea about the formation of the Regional Cooperation for Development Organization (RCD) between the three Muslim members of CENTO was first discussed in Washington in April 1964. They announced their new partnership without CENTO in a joint statement by the three heads of state issued on July 22, 1964, in Ankara, resolving that appropriate means should be adopted to set up cooperation in all fields in a spirit of "regional cooperation."

As members of the RCD, Pakistan and Turkey made good progress, with various roads explored to enlarge Pakistan-Turkish trade. Turkish traders took a keen interest in importing Pakistani products such as surgical instruments, caustic soda, glycerin, castor oil and stainless steel products. On the other hand, Pakistani importers were keen to buy chemicals and textiles auxiliaries among other goods from Turkey. At the session of the Pakistan-Turkish Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation, which was held in Islamabad in March 1977, the two governments agreed to outline several areas of cooperation, including on food and agriculture. This interest materialized with the launching of joint ventures in the fields of commerce, industry and transportation. Then, as the result of a devastating earthquake that hit the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir in October 2005, then-Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan announced a relief package from the government of Turkey to their Pakistani brethren in a joint press conference with the then-Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz. The relief package outlined financial assistance worth $100 million and relief goods worth $50 million, including a million blankets, 50,000 tons of flour and 25,000 tons of sugar. Turkey also provided technical help in several other fields.

MoU agenda

Turkey has also played a vital role in the materializing of the Trilateral MoU, which was signed by the governments of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan to enhance and augment trade and economic cooperation between all three countries. That MoU was signed during the seventh trilateral Summit of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey in Ankara and provided a basis for the establishment of the Trilateral Trade Council, which would further help advance foreign investment, rising and enhancing commercial ties and reconnoitering possibilities for cooperation in the services sectors of all three countries. The MoU would also assist in the exchange of information focusing on their respective legislation on trade and economic activities. This "Trilateral Trade Council" is expected to supply a handy platform to talk about the advancement of regional, bilateral and trilateral cooperation besides joint practices on the issues of commercial and economic relations, trade policy matters and trade facilitation between the three countries.

Turkish security and police experts have helped Pakistan set up more adequate security and surveillance systems across its major cities, overhauling the recruitment and training schemes in all the provinces and imbuing forces with the latest crime-fighting techniques to combat terrorism and civil disturbances. In a new agreement, referred to as the Security Cooperation Protocol, signed between Pakistan and Turkey during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to Ankara, Islamabad sought a fellow Islamic country's help in overhauling the country's policing by improving its recruitment, training, command and control systems and equipment. According to sources, Turkish experts would also support Pakistan in developing a trustworthy CCTV-based security and surveillance system as has worked in Ankara.

As Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) Organization, 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 to a sizable amount by 2016. Pakistani exports include rice, sesame seeds, leather, textiles, fabrics sports goods and medical equipment.

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. Pakistan and Turkey have maintained long-standing military ties, with Turkey supplying arms and military equipment and training Pakistani officers. In April 1954, Pakistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation. Both countries, valued as important states in their regions, joined the U.S.-led CENTO aimed to bolster military and strategic cooperation and counter the spread of communism and Soviet influence in the region.

Turkey has openly supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict and maintained political and military support during its conflict with India. Pakistan has reciprocated by expressing support for Turkey's policy in Northern Cyprus. Both nations have sought to expand cooperation to fight terrorism and are also members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Pakistan is the second-largest Muslim country in terms of population after Indonesia, and its status as a declared nuclear power, the only Islamic nation with such a status, plays a part in its international role. Pakistan is also an important member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Pakistan is an active member of the United Nations. Historically, its foreign policy has encompassed difficult relations with India, especially on the core issue of Kashmir, over which it has fought two wars. However, it has had longstanding close relations with its other neighbors; Afghanistan, Iran and China; extensive security and economic interests in the Persian Gulf and wide-ranging bilateral relations with the United States and other Western countries. Once referring to the hardship faced by Pakistan because of the war on terror, Erdoğan said: "You are not alone in your campaign against terrorism and extremism as we too have suffered heavily from terror, given many martyrs. My government and the Turkish people stand by their Pakistani brothers as has always been the case and are ready to help address all needs to the best of their abilities. The people of Pakistan value their dignity and honor. They are resolute and will spare no sacrifice to defeat the designs of the enemies of Pakistan." Erdoğan expressed the hope that Pakistan would overcome its problems through national reconciliation and solidarity.

Turkey has been a part of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan group from the very beginning and has always underlined the need for redressing the issues confronting Pakistan because it was the key country for regional and global stability.

Pakistan has always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the Turkish leadership, government and people. All eyes are on the forthcoming visit of the Turkish president to Pakistan which is about to kick off today. The two-day visit would be a milestone toward combating terrorism and strengthening bilateral trade and cultural ties between the two countries.
Click to expand...

https://www.dailysabah.com/op-ed/2020/02/13/turkey-pakistan-friendship-from-past-to-present
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a two-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and economic ties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed the Turkish president and his wife Emine Erdoğan as they disembarked from the airplane at the Nur Khan Airbase.

In what has now become a tradition for special foreign guests, Prime Minister Imran personally drove President Erdogan and the Turkish first lady from the airport to Prime Minister House.

A guard of honour was presented to the Turkish president by smartly turned-out personnel of the armed forces. Senior cabinet members and government officials welcomed the president at Prime Minister House.

Posters welcoming the Turkish president were put up in the capital ahead of his arrival with strict security in place.

The Foreign Office had announced that the Turkish president would visit Pakistan from Feb 13 to 14 for underscoring “traditional solidarity and affinity” between the two countries and further “deepening and broadening of the flourishing Pakistan-Turkey strategic partnership”.

PM Imran Khan drives the Turkish president and first lady from the airport. — Courtesy: PM Office
Erdogan, who is accompanied on the trip by his cabinet members, senior government officials and leading Turkish business figures, would co-chair with Prime Minister Imran the 6th session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), address a joint session of parliament on Friday for the record fourth time and speak at the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum.

He will also meet President Arif Alvi during the trip.

Talking to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul said that President Erdogan's visit to Islamabad is a historic event and "a major step towards exemplary bilateral ties between the two countries".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspects a guard of honour at PM House. — DawnNewsTV
Prime Minister Imran is expected to invite Turkey to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He had in an interview with a Turkish newswire said: “We hope to involve them in using CPEC for further connectivity, and we hope to involve Turkey in this [CPEC]”.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Turkish ambassador said CPEC is nearly completed and that Turkey is interested in becoming a part of special economic zones which will be established under the project.

The prime minister wants Turkish businesses to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector and engage in technology transfer projects.


About the proposals for promoting economic ties, the FO said: “Both sides place a strong emphasis on forging a robust economic relationship.”

“Pakistan and Turkey have a unique and abiding relationship characterised by mutual support and exceptional mutual trust and understanding. The two brotherly countries have always been each other’s steadfast partners. Turkey supports the cause of self-determination for the people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan stands by Turkey on the question of Cyprus,” the FO said.

Turkey and Pakistan are expected to sign a number of important agreements/memorandums of understanding to formalise some of the understandings that would be reached during the HLSCC meeting.

The HLSCC is the highest-level decision-making forum that provides strategic direction to the ties. There are seven joint working groups under the HLSCC working on political coordination, trade and investment, energy, banking and finance, transport and communications, culture and tourism, and education.

A man rides on a motorbike passing a sign showing President Arif Alvi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Islamabad, February 13. — Reuters
HLSCC meetings are held alternatively in Islamabad and Ankara.

PML-N President and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in London, welcomed Erdogan to Pakistan and extended wishes on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the opposition.

"President Erdogan represents the honour and courage of the Muslim Ummah," Shehbaz said in a statement, adding that the Pakistani people are grateful to the Turkish leader for raising his voice against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.

Stringent security in place
Strict security measures have been taken ahead of the Turkish president's arrival and more than 2,000 police personnel and officers will perform duties, according to the Islamabad police spokesperson.

Islamabad Inspector General Amir Zulfiqar Khan earlier today reviewed the security arrangements. He directed the personnel on duty to ensure foolproof security and remain "red alert" during the visit.

"No negligence regarding duty will be tolerated," IG Khan was quoted as saying.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1534235/turkish-president-erdogan-arrives-in-islamabad-on-2-day-visit
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is addressing a joint session of Parliament in Islamabad — for a record fourth time.

"I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I am thankful to each of you individually for allowing me to address this joint session of Parliament," said the foreign dignitary at the start of his speech.

"I am thankful to all of you for the way in which the people of Pakistan have welcomed us. I have never felt like a stranger in Pakistan; it has always been like a home.

"Today, Pakistan and Turkey's relations are admirable for others [...]. During difficult times, Pakistan has supported Turkey."

Quoting a poem by poet Allama Iqbal, Erdogan said: "Yes, like the poet of Lahore, people were drowning in these emotions, people of Pakistan had supported Turkey.

"We can never forget this.

"Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you [Pakistanis]," he said, reiterating his support for Kashmiris.

"How can we forget those [Pakistanis] who prayed for Turkey? Our friendship is not based on vested interests but on love.

"When there were earthquakes in Turkey, they [Pakistanis] supported us. I am thankful on behalf of my country for the support of Pakistan.

"Like in the past, we will continue to support Pakistan in the future," he vowed.

"Pakistan is on the way to peace and stability; peace and stability doesn't come in a few days, it requires work.

"We applaud Pakistan's efforts to to rid this region from terrorism. The country has been affected by terrorism.

"Pakistan and Turkey are the countries that have been most affected by terrorism due to their geographic location [...] we will continue to cooperate with Pakistan on counter-terrorism," he declared.

"No distance can build a wall between the hearts of believers. If there is torture against any believers in the world, it our duty to help them.

"Especially over the past few days, when [US President Donald] Trump and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu took a step about Al-Quds.

Read: Trump unveils Mideast plan, hailing 'big step towards peace'

"This is not a peace plan, this is a takeover plan," said Erdogan. "The plan of the 'deal of the century' is not a peace project but in fact, a project for occupation.

"When the American administration announced this plan as 'the deal of the century', we gave the biggest reaction to this plan."

"Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these have become graver.

"The Kashmir issue can be resolved not through conflict but through justice and fairness. Such a solution will be in the interest of all parties. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue.

"On this occasion, I would like to emphasise that we appreciate Pakistan's positive contributions to the peace process in Afghanistan."

Joint session of Parliament
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser began the session by welcoming Erdogan, who he said is a "true friend" and brother of Pakistan. He thanked the Turkish president and the great Turkish nation for their clear and just stance on the Kashmir issue.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani received the Turkish president upon arrival at the Parliament.

The Turkish president arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and economic ties.

Upon his arrival on Thursday, Erdogan was received at the Nur Khan Airbase by the premier.

In what has now become a tradition for special foreign guests, Prime Minister Imran personally drove President Erdogan and the Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan from the airport to Prime Minister House.

Pakistan and Turkey’s national flags are seen on poles next to a sing showing President Arif Alvi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on February 13. — Reuters
In his first official engagement for his trip, the Turkish leader held a meeting with President Alvi, which was followed by a banquet.

During their wide-ranging talks, President Alvi extended a warm welcome to President Erdogan and expressed satisfaction over the level of multifaceted engagement between Pakistan and Turkey, according to a press release issued by the President's Secretariat.

Agenda
In addition to his address before the joint sitting of Parliament today, Erdogan will also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan for discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues.

The two will co-chair the sixth meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), which steers the bilateral relationship and are also set to speak at a meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum.

Later, there will be a signing ceremony of the memorandums of understanding and accords finalised during the meeting.

Prime Minister Imran and President Erdogan are also expected to hold a joint press conference.

Imran is expected to invite Turkey to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He had said in an interview with a Turkish newswire: "We hope to involve them in using CPEC for further connectivity, and we hope to involve Turkey in this [CPEC]".

The Turkish leader last visited Pakistan in 2016, during the PML-N-led government, during which he also addressed the Parliament.

PTI lawmakers had boycotted the session to protest against the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif for his alleged corruption.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1534429/t...e-erdogan-reiterates-in-address-to-parliament
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed a joint session of Parliament in Islamabad — for a record fourth time — during which he reiterated his country's support for Pakistan, its stance on the Kashmir issue and in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

"I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I am thankful to each of you individually for allowing me to address this joint session of Parliament. I would like to convey the greeting of 83 million brothers and sisters in Turkey," said the foreign dignitary at the start of his speech.

President Erdogan on ties with Pakistan:

Backs Pakistan in face of pressure in the FATF
Vows to stand by Pakistan in war against terrorism, Kashmir
Emphasises the historical ties between the two nations
To sign various pacts regarding infrastructure, investment during Pakistan visit
"I am thankful for the way in which the people of Pakistan have welcomed us. Here in Pakistan we never see ourselves as strangers. We feel at home. We are here at home, together with you.

"Today, Pakistan and Turkey's relations are admirable for others [...] The much-envied Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood today, is a true brotherhood, strengthened by history and reinforced by historical events."

'Won't forget prayers of Pakistan's people'
Erdogan recalled various events, he termed as "golden examples" that Pakistan and Turkey share in their "common history".

"In the year 1915, while the Turkish soldiers defend the Dardanelles Strait with a glorious resistance, a rally took place [...] 6,000 kilometres from the front and it was recorded on the unforgettable pages of history.

"The theme of this historical rally in Lahore Square was Çanakkale [...] On that day, Lahore Square was jam-packed with Muslims as we were struggling to survive and our brothers and sisters in this geographic [region] were also under pressure of the colonialists.

"Despite challenges and threats, they raised a huge charity for Çanakkale through the exhibitions in the square."

The Gallipoli campaign, which is also known as the Battle of Çanakkale was one of the bloodiest campaigns of the First World War that took place in what is modern-day Turkey. The campaign, which began after Allied Forces landed in the Turkish peninsula to oust the Ottoman Empire, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands on both sides.

Erdogan said that in the past Pakistan had stood by his country.

"Dear brothers and sisters who else should we love and feel affection for other than you."

Quoting a poem by Allama Iqbal, Erdogan said: "Yes, like the poet, people in Lahore Square burst into tears with these moving words.

"We have never forgotten and will not forget the help, which the Pakistani people delivered, during our War of Independence by piling up their own bread.

"Events that happened a hundred of years ago in Çanakkale in Turkey are being repeated in Indian occupied Kashmir and Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression.

"Our friendship is not based on vested interests but on love," he said.

"Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you [Pakistanis]," he said, reiterating his support for Kashmiris.

"Like in the past, we will continue to support Pakistan in the future," he vowed.

"Following the Elazığ-Malatya earthquake, we received solidarity messages from all Pakistan, from the head of state to the citizens on the streets," he added.

"Pakistan is on the way to peace and stability; peace and stability don't come in a few days, they require work.

"We applaud Pakistan's efforts to rid this region from terrorism. The country has been affected by terrorism.

"Pakistan and Turkey are the countries that have been most affected by terrorism due to their geographic location [...] we will continue to cooperate with Pakistan on counter-terrorism," he declared.

'Will support Pakistan in FATF'
"I pray that God makes the solidarity between us strong and permanent.

"As in the past, we will continue to stand by Pakistan in the future."

Discussing the relations between the two countries, he said: "I also want to emphasise that we will give support to Pakistan which is subject to political pressure in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meetings."

His comments come days ahead of an FATF meeting in Paris that which will decide on Pakistan’s request to be taken off its grey list of non-compliant states.

"The strategic economic framework and action plan texts we will sign today will cover a wide range of industries from trade to infrastructure [...] and constitute a road map for us," he said, with regards to today's meetings during his trip to Pakistan.

'Trump's 'deal of the century' is an occupation plan'
"No distance can build a wall between the hearts of believers. If there is torture against any believers in the world, it our duty to help them.

The Turkish president also discussed the recently unveiled US plan for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Especially over the past few days, when [US President Donald] Trump and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu took a step about Al-Quds.

Read: Trump unveils Mideast plan, hailing 'big step towards peace'

"The agreement of the century is not a peace project but in fact a project for occupation," Erdogan said, adding: "We said Jerusalem is our red line. We declared to the whole world that we will not leave Haram al-Sharif to the mercy of the occupying Israeli administration.

"In recent weeks, the American administration announced this plan as the plan of the century; we [Turkey] showed the biggest reaction to this plan of annexation, occupation and demolition."

'We stand with Kashmiris'
Discussing the Kashmir issue, Erdogan said: "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times.

"The Kashmir issue can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. Such a solution will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

"On this occasion, I would like to emphasise that we appreciate Pakistan's positive contributions to the peace process in Afghanistan. As Turkey, we leant the necessary support to Pakistan and Afghanistan both of which we deem as our brothers and sisters.

Joint session of Parliament
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser began the session by welcoming Erdogan, who he said is a "true friend" and brother of Pakistan. He thanked the Turkish president and the great Turkish nation for their clear and just stance on the Kashmir issue.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani received the Turkish president upon arrival at the Parliament.


Arrival in Pakistan
The Turkish president arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and economic ties.


Upon his arrival on Thursday, Erdogan was received at the Nur Khan Airbase by the premier.

In what has now become a tradition for special foreign guests, Prime Minister Imran personally drove President Erdogan and the Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan from the airport to Prime Minister House.

Pakistan and Turkey’s national flags are seen on poles next to a sing showing President Arif Alvi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on February 13. — Reuters
In his first official engagement for his trip, the Turkish leader held a meeting with President Alvi, which was followed by a banquet.

During their wide-ranging talks, President Alvi extended a warm welcome to President Erdogan and expressed satisfaction over the level of multifaceted engagement between Pakistan and Turkey, according to a press release issued by the President's Secretariat.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1534429/n...dogan-stands-by-pakistan-in-parliament-speech
 
Last edited:
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday addressed a joint press conference in Islamabad after the two countries signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various areas.

In his speech, Prime Minister Imran said people had greatly liked President Erdogan's speech earlier today during a joint session of the parliament. He reiterated that if the Turkish leader fought an election from Pakistan, he would do a "clean sweep".

He thanked Erdogan, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, on the country's behalf for speaking up against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.

He noted that at least eight million Kashmiris have been under Indian siege for over six months, while Kashmiri leaders have been put in jail. "They have no rights ... they are living in fear," he added.

The premier reiterated that Kashmir is a disputed territory according to United Nations resolutions.

He said the Pakistan-Turkey trade relationship will see a new era with today's signing of MoUs for strategic economic cooperation. Through timelines, the cooperation being carried out between Pakistan and Turkey will benefit both the countries, he added.

Prime Minister Imran said Pakistan backs Turkey regarding its issues with terrorism emanating from the Syria border. He noted that besides Kashmir, Turkey had supported Pakistan on the issue of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well, adding that the two countries "stand together" when it comes to strategic international issues.

"Our cooperation apart from politics and economy [...] is necessary because they (Turkey) have an advanced film industry. We want to develop content with them to address Islamophobia so that we can take a stand against the incorrect portrayal of Muslims," the premier said.

Turkey in 'deep solidarity' with IOK residents
President Erdogan in his speech said with his ongoing trip, he had the pleasure of visiting Pakistan after three years again. He said he saw the country as "our second home".

He thanked Prime Minister Imran and the authorities for the "superior hospitality" extended to the Turkish delegation.

He said holding another meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which was established in 2009, was one of the most important symbols of the Pak-Turk friendship.

"The mere fact that we have signed 13 agreements between the two countries is the most important indicator of how important relations between [the two countries] are," Erdogan said.

"In the last meeting in Ankara, we had agreed to bring the level of our foreign trade volume to $5 billion by 2023. The strategic economic framework and its next action plan is almost ready […] It is the roadmap for how we can deepen our economic relations," he added.

Erdogan said Turkey was ready to provide all the support that it can in the fields of transportation, energy, tourism, healthcare, education, and law enforcement — areas which he noted will help in the social and economic development of Pakistan.

"I am also confident that the prime minister is not going to spare any efforts in order to improve the business climate in Pakistan," he said, adding that Turkey is standing next to Pakistan today, as it did in the past and will do in the future.

He said the support messages and condolences conveyed by Pakistanis, from the president to the ordinary people in the street, in the aftermath of the earthquake in Elazig city of Turkey is "an example that shows the affection between the people of the two countries".

He said Turkey has received "strong support" from the Pakistani state and people regarding its military operations that it conducted in October in northern Syria.

"Our cooperations within the field of military and defence are the most dynamic fields of our bilateral relations. I would like everyone to know that we are ready to contribute in any way in order to enhance relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan which are both brotherly nations to us," the president stressed.

Erdogan said Turkey stands in "deep solidarity" with the people of occupied Kashmir, who he said have suffered oppression and bad consequences for a very long time. "We are very sorry and disturbed to see that the situation in this province is deteriorating because of unilateral steps taken by one party," he added.

"Turkey is in favour of finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue between Pakistan and India, under the basis [of] UN decisions and considering the expectations of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters," he told the presser.

He reiterated that Turkey greatly appreciates Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and its efforts towards establishing regional stability.

Responding to his speech, Prime Minister Imran thanked Erdogan, saying the Pakistani people were happy at his visit because Turkey has had a special connection with Pakistan and the region since the Khilafat Movement.

He said the two countries' relations have further strengthened since Erdogan became Turkey's chief executive and Pakistan now wants to learn from the development carried out in Turkey under Erdogan's watch.

"The areas in which Pakistan will specifically benefit [from the cooperation] are tourism and [...] construction," the premier said, adding that Turkey has already worked on creating affordable housing which the PTI government wants to emulate.

"The way in which he uplifted the economy ... the country had circular debt and had taken IMF loans. It is important for us to learn from this," he remarked.

Prime Minister Imran said the most important task for Pakistan is to provide employment to its young population which will happen through industrialisation.

MoUs signed
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran and President Erdogan witnessed the signing of 13 MoUs by officials representing both the countries.

The ceremony came after the conclusion of the plenary session of the 6th round of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Islamabad.

According to state broadcaster PTV, the MoUs signed between the two countries concern cooperation in the fields of tourism and culture, food security, postal services, railways, military training, trade, transport and infrastructure, information technology, etc. An agreement was also signed for cooperation between the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television corporation (TRT) and PTV and Radio Pakistan.

President Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran then signed two documents — the declaration of strategic economic framework and the joint declaration.

The joint press conference was followed by a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Imran in honour of the Turkish president.

Earlier in the day, President Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran had held a one-on-one meeting at Prime Minister House during which bilateral relations were discussed.


Turkish defence minister calls on COAS
Also on Friday, Gen (retired) Hulusi Akar, the minister of national defence of Turkey called on Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Gen (retired) Hulusi Akar and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa shake hands. — Photo: ISPR
"During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and measures to further enhance bilateral defence collaboration were discussed," a press release issued by the military's media wing said.

The army chief said that Pakistan values its unique relationship with Turkey and would always stand by its people.

"The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan's contributions for conflict prevention in the region and for standing by Turkey and pledged the same for Pakistan," the statement added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1534454/a...rdogan-for-raising-voice-for-occupied-kashmir
 
Mamoon said:
The meeting of the two self-appointed Caliphs.

I wonder if the Turkish caliph will make things awkward and ask our caliph about his absence in the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Nevertheless, the real meeting will be between Erdogan and Bajwa, with the transcripts of the meeting getting faxed to Pentagon.
Click to expand...

Who would you appoint as Caliph? Let me guess. Modi or Trump?
 
India on Saturday took exception to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unequivocal support for the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and told Turkey to "not interfere in India's internal affairs."

According to ANI news agency, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar responded to President Erdogan's statement by saying: “India rejects all references to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India.”

“We call upon the Turkish leadership not to interfere in India’s internal affairs and develop a proper understanding of the facts, including the grave threat posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan to India and the region,” Kumar added.

The Turkish president had on Friday compared “the struggle of Kashmiri people” with that of the Turkish people's struggle against foreign occupation during World War I.

While addressing a joint session of Parliament before ending his two-day trip to Pakistan on Friday, Erdogan said what had happened in Turkey a hundred years ago was being repeated in Indian occupied Kashmir today.

"Events that happened a hundred years ago in Çanakkale in Turkey are being repeated in Indian occupied Kashmir and Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression.

"Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you [Pakistanis]," he had said, reiterating Turkey's support for Kashmiris.

“The Kashmir issue can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness,” Erdogan said. “Such a solution will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.”

Referring to Kashmir multiple times in his address yesterday, Erdogan also said: "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times.

"The Kashmir issue can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. Such a solution will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," he said.

Pakistan's efforts to raise awareness about the plight of the people of occupied Kashmir have become more pronounced since August 5, 2019 when India repealed Article 370 of its constitution, stripping the region of its special status.

India also divided up occupied Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories; one Jammu and Kashmir, and the other the Buddhist-dominated high altitude region of Ladakh. The bifurcation of the territory came into effect on October 31 last year.

Since India's measures of revoking Kashmir's special status came into place, the issue has been raised thrice in the United Nations Security Council and also in the European Union Parliament.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1534647/i...ernal-affairs-after-erdogan-visit-to-pakistan
 
Mamoon said:
The meeting of the two self-appointed Caliphs.

I wonder if the Turkish caliph will make things awkward and ask our caliph about his absence in the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Nevertheless, the real meeting will be between Erdogan and Bajwa, with the transcripts of the meeting getting faxed to Pentagon.
Click to expand...

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything positive from you, in any topic whether it’s cricket or other things.. well actually anything to do with Kohli or the mighty Indians seems to please you so I’ll give you that. BTW, didn’t your idol Nawaz Sharif declare himself (on the record) to be Amir-ul-Momineen hahaha, how did that go??
 
Turks have occupied Constantinople too. They should go back to Central Asia on their horses and camels.
 
troodon said:
Turks have occupied Constantinople too. They should go back to Central Asia on their horses and camels.
Click to expand...

uh not really, the vast majority of modern day Turkish people are descendants of the Native Anatolians. They just got Turkified and adopted the Turkish language (which is still very different from central asian turkish) but genetically they're just Anatolians and closer in DNA to a Greek, Armenian or Syrian than they are to a Kazakh.
 
Lonewarrior said:
Click to expand...

Where is Pakistan’s First Lady??

Isn’t it rude for her, not to receive or present at all in any public appearance??

Impression given before was that the other party is not Islamic or mulvi enough. This time around, they are as mulvi or perhaps even more, if she cannot be a courteous host against these folks, who else she can handle ??
 
Pakistanian said:
uh not really, the vast majority of modern day Turkish people are descendants of the Native Anatolians. They just got Turkified and adopted the Turkish language (which is still very different from central asian turkish) but genetically they're just Anatolians and closer in DNA to a Greek, Armenian or Syrian than they are to a Kazakh.
Click to expand...

Contradicted by science. The Y-chromosome haplogroup of Turkey prior to its conquest by the Turks was R1a (mainly Greek) and R1b (mainly Roman). Even after re-entry of R1 into the population in the form of soldier levies from the Balkans (Janissaries), today these combined are only 23.5% of the population. Most native males were massacred by the invading Turks.

https://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_y-dna_haplogroups.shtml
 
Dual citizenship if rolled out will be detrimental to Pakistan economy in long run. I would expect most from Pakistan migrating to more developed turkey and not much the other way.. it might lead to brain drain and reduction in tax payers.
 
Gallipoli was actually a brilliant campaign idea but it’s execution was flawed.
 
Napa said:
Contradicted by science. The Y-chromosome haplogroup of Turkey prior to its conquest by the Turks was R1a (mainly Greek) and R1b (mainly Roman). Even after re-entry of R1 into the population in the form of soldier levies from the Balkans (Janissaries), today these combined are only 23.5% of the population. Most native males were massacred by the invading Turks.

https://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_y-dna_haplogroups.shtml
Click to expand...

Much like the Aryan invasion of India, most high caste Hindus have R1a1 and other native Y haplogroups. Anyways, Turkish people are autosomaly mostly native Anatolians .
 
Napa said:
Contradicted by science. The Y-chromosome haplogroup of Turkey prior to its conquest by the Turks was R1a (mainly Greek) and R1b (mainly Roman). Even after re-entry of R1 into the population in the form of soldier levies from the Balkans (Janissaries), today these combined are only 23.5% of the population. Most native males were massacred by the invading Turks.

https://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_y-dna_haplogroups.shtml
Click to expand...

Using the same source that you provided the R1a and R1b of Greece is 27%. So not a huge difference between Turkey (23.5%) and Greece DNA in that regards.

Again using the same source you provided the largest Y-chromosome of both Greece ans Turkey populations was J2, which is 23% for Greece and 24% for Turkey. So they seem pretty similar to each other in DNA.


And note that it was not only Janissary who came to Turkey, millions of Muslims who were native from the Balkans came as well after they were expelled, and assimilated into Turkish culture.
 
yasir said:
Where is Pakistan’s First Lady??

Isn’t it rude for her, not to receive or present at all in any public appearance??

Impression given before was that the other party is not Islamic or mulvi enough. This time around, they are as mulvi or perhaps even more, if she cannot be a courteous host against these folks, who else she can handle ??
Click to expand...

No. She has no obligation to receive anyone. Most of the spouse of politicians who travel with them just go for the free vacation on taxpayer dime.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Using the same source that you provided the R1a and R1b of Greece is 27%. So not a huge difference between Turkey (23.5%) and Greece DNA in that regards.

Again using the same source you provided the largest Y-chromosome of both Greece ans Turkey populations was J2, which is 23% for Greece and 24% for Turkey. So they seem pretty similar to each other in DNA.


And note that it was not only Janissary who came to Turkey, millions of Muslims who were native from the Balkans came as well after they were expelled, and assimilated into Turkish culture.
Click to expand...

Yes, Greece was also overrun by the Turks. I will let you figure out what happened next.
 
Pakistanian said:
Much like the Aryan invasion of India, most high caste Hindus have R1a1 and other native Y haplogroups. Anyways, Turkish people are autosomaly mostly native Anatolians .
Click to expand...

1. If by native Anatolians you mean the inhabitants of Anatolia prior to the Turkish invasions, you do not know what their autosome was.

2. You cannot have a massive change in Y-chromosome haplogroup frequency without a significant change in autosomes. If the native males are eliminated by the invaders and the native females survive, then the next generation will be have about 50% of invaders' autosome.
 
Napa said:
1. If by native Anatolians you mean the inhabitants of Anatolia prior to the Turkish invasions, you do not know what their autosome was.

2. You cannot have a massive change in Y-chromosome haplogroup frequency without a significant change in autosomes. If the native males are eliminated by the invaders and the native females survive, then the next generation will be have about 50% of invaders' autosome.
Click to expand...

Erdogan himself is of Georgian or Armenian descent. Turks on average have only 5-15% Turkic ancestry, whereas most of their ancestors were Anatolians, Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians.

In fact, Iraqis, Iranians and Azerbaijanis are more likely to have Turkic and Turcoman ancestry compared to the people of Turkish. There’s even an ethnic group in Iraq called the Iraqi Turkmens.
 
AdamM97 said:
Erdogan himself is of Georgian or Armenian descent. Turks on average have only 5-15% Turkic ancestry, whereas most of their ancestors were Anatolians, Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians.

In fact, Iraqis, Iranians and Azerbaijanis are more likely to have Turkic and Turcoman ancestry compared to the people of Turkish. There’s even an ethnic group in Iraq called the Iraqi Turkmens.
Click to expand...

The male-line ancestry of the modern Turkish population is detailed in the table I linked to in post #36.
 
Turkey President Denounces "Massacres" Committed Against Muslims In India

Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out Thursday against "massacres" of Muslims in India after communal violence in New Delhi left at least 38 dead.
"India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus," President Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara after violence broke out this week between mobs of Hindus and Muslims over a citizenship law.

Over 200 people were injured and 38 killed since late Sunday in clashes that saw mobs of Hindus and Muslims fight running battles, armed with swords and guns. Thousands of properties and vehicles were touched in the violence.

According to a document seen by AFP, the victims are a roughly even mix of Hindus and Muslims, based on their names.

President Erdogan, a devout Muslim, sees himself as a defender of Islam, often taking public stands on issues concerning the faith and its followers.

He accused the mobs attacking Muslims of hurting children studying in private tuition centres with "metal sticks as if to kill" them.

"How will these people make global peace possible? It is impossible. When making speeches -- since they have a large population -- they say 'we are strong' but that is not strength," President Erdogan added.

The unrest is the latest bout of violence over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's citizenship law, which triggered months of demonstrations that turned deadly in December.

Critics say PM Modi wants to turn the officially secular country into a Hindu state.

Many of the 200 million Muslims in India fear the citizenship law -- combined with a mooted citizens' register -- will leave them stateless or even sent to detention camps.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tur...es-committed-against-muslims-in-india-2186792
 
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan and Turkish President Erdogan on Tuesday resolved to fight the coronavirus pandemic together, as confirmed cases of the infection continue to rise in both countries.

According to Radio Pakistan, the PM Imran offered his condolences to Erdogan over the deaths caused by the coronavirus in Turkey. The two leaders spoke to each other in a telephonic conversation.

"Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to work together and reinforce each other's efforts in the fight against COVID-19," read a post on Radio Pakistan.

PM Imran thanked Erdogan for the facilities extended by the government of Turkey to stranded Pakistanis. He expressed Pakistan's "abiding support and solidarity with Turkey" and recognised Ankara's efforts in battling the pandemic.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 4,007 today after new infections were confirmed in the country.

More than 650 people have died in Turkey with the country reporting over 30,000 coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

The worldwide number of officially confirmed fatalities from the novel coronavirus now stands at above 75,000, according to an AFP tally.

More than 1 million declared cases have been registered in 200 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. Of these cases, at least 253,000 are now considered recovered.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/281540-pm...condolences-over-coronavirus-deaths-in-turkey
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Many Brits wish they could express similar sentiments about our dear Indian immigrant population.
Click to expand...

Who knows? Once this Pak-Turk joint passport thing comes into being a lot of Turks may express the same sentiments about Pakistanis.
 
Erdogan assures Pakistan of support on Kashmir in calls to President Alvi, PM Imran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday assured his country’s support for Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue in a conversation with President Arif Alvi.

The Turkish leader also called Prime Minister Imran Khan on the occasion of Eidul Azha and the two leaders shared their views on a range of issues.

“President Dr Arif Alvi and President Erdogan exchanged Eidul Azha greetings in a telephonic conversation. Important matters including Kashmir and Covid-19 were discussed,” a tweet by Alvi’s office said.

It quoted President Alvi as saying that occupation regimes were continuing their “extreme repression” in Palestine and Indian-occupied Kashmir even during the coronavirus pandemic.

“[The] Turkish President assured that his country would continue to support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir as both brotherly countries have similar goals,” according to a second tweet.

Erdogan also invited Alvi to visit Turkey after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While congratulating Erdogan on the reopening of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia as a mosque after nearly nine decades, President Alvi “reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support to Turkey on its legitimate interests and assured that Pakistan will continue its policy to provide Turkey with all possible support”.

Prime Minister Imran too felicitated President Erdogan on reopening of the Hagia Sophia for prayers and told him that “millions of Pakistanis watched it live on television”, according to a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.

During their conversation, Prime Minister Imran recalled Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan for the sixth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in February and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “further fortify bilateral cooperation” in all areas.

“Pakistan deeply appreciates Turkey’s steadfast support for the just cause of Kashmir, which President Erdogan reaffirmed during his address to the joint session of parliament in February 2020,” the PM Office said.

Erdogan’s contact with the Pakistani leadership comes days before the world marks one year since India revoked the semi-autonomous status of occupied Kashmir and split it into two federal territories, causing further determination in New Delhi’s ties with Islamabad.

Earlier this week, the government called for observing the first anniversary of occupied Kashmir’s annexation on August 5 as Yaum-i-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) with full enthusiasm as it rolled out a range of activities planned for the occasion.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1572341/e...n-kashmir-in-calls-to-president-alvi-pm-imran
 
Turkey has condemned remarks made by US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden criticising President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and calling for support for the Turkish leader's opponents.

Biden made the comments in an interview filmed by the New York Times in December, but a video of the remarks only appeared on Saturday before going viral on social media.

Asked about Erdogan, Biden described the Turkish president as an "autocrat", criticised his policy towards the Kurds, and advocated supporting the Turkish opposition.

"What I think we should be doing is taking a very different approach to him now, making it clear that we support opposition leadership," Biden said.

"He has to pay a price," Biden said at the time, adding that Washington should embolden Turkish opposition leaders "to be able to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, not by a coup, but by the electoral process."

The comments did not provoke much reaction when they were published in January, but the video of the interview triggered an angry response from Turkey.

"The analysis of Turkey by @JoeBiden is based on pure ignorance, arrogance and hypocrisy," Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted.


"The days of ordering Turkey around are over. But if you still think you can try, be our guest. You will pay the price."

Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun said the comments "reflect games and an interventionist approach towards Turkey" and are inconsistent with current diplomatic relations.

"Nobody can attack our nation's will and democracy or question the legitimacy of our President, who was elected by popular vote," Altun said on Twitter.

"We believe that these unbecoming statements which have no place in diplomacy by a presidential candidate from our NATO ally, the United States, are unacceptable to the current administration too," he added.

Biden's statements also embarrassed Erdogan's opponents, who the Turkish government regularly accuses of being in the pay of foreign powers.

Several officials of the main opposition CHP party quickly distanced themselves from Biden's remarks, calling for "respect for the sovereignty of Turkey".

Erdogan has worked to cultivate a personal relationship with current US President Donald Trump - who is running for re-election in November this year - and often lashes out at Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama.

Biden - who is expected to be Trump's opponent in the upcoming election - was Obama's vice president.

Relations between Ankara and Washington were strained during Obama's second term, particularly because of disagreements over Syria and growing international criticism over freedoms and rights in Turkey.

While Trump and Erdogan speak regularly, diplomatic relations have been strained over Ankara's purchase of Russian air defences, policy in Syria and over US charges against a Turkish state bank for allegedly helping Iran evade sanctions.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...iticism-autocrat-erdogan-200816072119841.html
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deeply appreciate President Erdogan once again raising his voice in support of the rights of the Kashmiri people during his address to UNGA. Turkey’s unwavering support remains a source of strength for the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self determination. <a href="https://t.co/RIBJAIUpty">pic.twitter.com/RIBJAIUpty</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1308609215628443648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
India on Tuesday categorically told Turkey to “learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations” after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN General Assembly earlier in the day.
 
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appreciated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for "once again raising his voice in support of the rights of the Kashmiri people" during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

"Turkey’s unwavering support remains a source of strength for the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination," said the premier.

Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif also expressed gratitude to President Erdogan "for raising the Kashmir issue". "Kashmiris will remember him as their great friend who advocated their right to self-determination at every forum of the world.

Erdogan, in his address via video-link on Tuesday, called the Kashmir conflict — which he said was also key to the stability and peace of South Asia — "a burning issue".

"Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of [occupied] Jammu and Kashmir further complicated the problem. We are in favour of solving this issue through dialogue within the framework of the UN resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir.”

Meanwhile, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations T.S. Tirumurti called Erdogan's remarks "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs.

"Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its policies more deeply," said Tirumurti.

Since Aug 5, 2019, when India illegally merged the occupied territory with it and imposed a communication lockdown as well as a curfew, Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue three times inside the council with China’s support.

The Indians, however, argue that the merger — although illegal — has ended the disputed nature of occupied Kashmir and therefore it should be removed from the council’s agenda.

Turkey has repeatedly backed Pakistan's stance on the issue as Prime Minister Imran called attention to India's actions in occupied Kashmir on international platforms.

In a call with President Arif Alvi in August, Erdogan had assured his country's support for Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir issue.

The annual meetings of the United Nations began in New York on Monday with Kashmir on the agenda as an unresolved dispute. In doing so, the world body ignored India’s efforts to remove the 72-year-old issue from the UN Security Council’s agenda for this year.

The current session, which is the 75th session, is unique in the world body’s history with leaders not attending in person and other meetings being held online.

Islamophobia
The president, according to Daily Sabah, said racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and hate speech have reached an "alarming level".

"Muslims are the most exposed to these dangerous tendencies fueled by prejudice and ignorance," he was quoted as saying.

"Those who are primarily responsible for this dangerous course are politicians who turn to populist rhetoric for the sake of votes, and marginal segments who legitimise hate speech by abusing the freedom of expression."

He reiterated his call for March 15, the day of the terrorist attack perpetrated in New Zealand against Muslims, to be declared by the United Nations as 'International Solidarity Day Against Islamophobia'.

Speaking on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, he said it could only be solved with an "independent, sovereign Palestine with geographical continuity and east Jerusalem as its capital".

"Countries that voice their intention to open an embassy in Jerusalem only serve to further complicate the (Palestine-Israel) conflict," Erdogan was quoted as saying. "Turkey will not support any plan that the Palestinian people do not give consent to."

According to the Turkish daily, Israel's UN envoy who participated in the UNGA in-person meetings, walked out of the hall during Erdogan's address.

His comments follow the signing of accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in Washington a week ago, which Palestinians view as a betrayal of their cause and a blow to their quest for an independent state in Israeli-occupied territory.

DAWN
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warm felicitations to leadership and people of &#55356;&#56825;&#55356;&#56823; on 97th Republic Day. Our forefathers stood by Turkish people in their glorious struggle against forces of imperialism. In contemporary times, our two countries remain indispensable partners. Long live Pakistan-Turkey brotherhood!</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1321803894423433222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has inaugurated a mosque in Taksim Square, Istanbul - the plans for which sparked a wave of protests in 2013.

Thousands attended the ceremony, with some praying in the square itself because the mosque was full.

The mosque features prominently next to a public space traditionally seen as a symbol of the secular Turkish republic.

It also dwarfs a monument to the republic, and its founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

"Taksim Mosque now occupies a prominent place among the symbols of Istanbul," Mr Erdogan said after saying Friday prayers at the site. "God willing, it will stay until the end of time."

He also told crowds that the mosque's construction was a victory over protesters who had objected to Taksim Square having any sort of religious tone, adding that "nothing can stop this initiative now".

Worshippers at the site praised the new mosque, which combines Ottoman features with contemporary design, and is able to accommodate about 4,000 people.

Abuzer Koç told AFP news agency that "there are too many people and not enough mosques".

"God bless those who made this happen," he added.

But while Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, critics have accused Mr Erdogan of actively trying to displace Turkey's secular basis.

Plans in 2013 to build the mosque in Istanbul's Gezi Park, in the Taksim Square area, sparked a wave of protests - both in the city, and solidarity protests across the world.

Why is Gezi Park so important?
But what began as a demonstration against the redevelopment of the area quickly turned into a wider expression of anger against government policies, and what they saw as Mr Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-euro...st+type]&at_medium=custom7&at_custom2=twitter
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just learnt that my brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey and Madame Emine Erdogan tested positive for Covid-19 Omicron. On behalf of our government, the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf I wish them a swift and complete recovery.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1489967243022589956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I extend my congratulations to President Erdogan & the people of Turkiye on Democracy & National Unity Day of Turkiye (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü). 15 July 2016 commemorates the day President Erdogan with the support of the Turkish people defeated attempted coup against him.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1547800811131924480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Israel and Turkey announced the resumption of full diplomatic ties on Wednesday, following years of strained relations between the Mediterranean nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the diplomatic breakthrough as an “important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel”.

Lapid’s office said the diplomatic development will see ambassadors and consuls general posted to the two countries once more.

The announcement follows months of bilateral efforts to mend ties, with reciprocal visits by top officials.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the return of ambassadors “is important to improve bilateral ties”, while still vowing to “defend” Palestinian rights.

Cavusoglu in May became the first Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel in 15 years, during a trip which also saw him meet the Palestinian leadership in the occupied West Bank.

During a landmark visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Ankara two months earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proclaimed their meeting marked “a turning point in our relations”.

Bilateral relations began to fray in 2008, following an Israeli military operation in Gaza.

Relations then froze in 2010 after the deaths of 10 civilians following an Israeli raid on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship, part of a flotilla trying to breach a blockade by carrying aid into Gaza.

A brief reconciliation lasted from 2016 until 2018, when Turkey withdrew its ambassador and expelled Israel’s over the killing of Palestinians. More than 200 Gazans were shot dead by Israeli forces during border protests from 2018 to 2019.

Turkey’s economic woes

Reconciliation publicly got underway after Herzog took office in July 2021.

The Israeli president on Wednesday said the full renewal of ties “will encourage greater economic relations, mutual tourism, and friendship between the Israeli and Turkish peoples”.

Despite the diplomatic differences in recent years, trade had continued and Turkey has remained a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

Israel however warned its citizens to return home in June, citing an Iranian assassination plot against its nationals in Istanbul.

Lapid then thanked Ankara for its cooperation on the issue and Israelis swiftly resumed their Turkish holidays.

Israel has been wary of upsetting regional allies over its decision to strengthen ties with Turkey, with Herzog dispatched to Cyprus and Greece ahead of his Ankara trip.

Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Turkey’s financial crisis is likely behind the renewed relations.

“Turkey needs to improve its economic standing to attract foreign direct investment,” she told journalists, pointing to Ankara’s efforts to boost ties elsewhere in the Middle East.

“This normalisation attempt is basically to make the diplomatic standing [of Turkey] better, to attract foreign direct investment,” she added.

‘Defend’ Palestinians

Turkey has meanwhile been keen to stress that its normalisation with Israel could yield benefits for the Palestinians.

“As we have always said, we will continue to defend the rights of Palestinians,” Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

As well as its relations with the Palestinian leadership based in the West Bank, Turkey has also maintained ties with Hamas, which rules Gaza.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political leadership, said the group expressed “condemnation” of any efforts to strengthen ties with Israel.

“We expect all Arab, Muslim and friendly countries to move towards isolating this occupation (Israel), and to pressure it to respond to our legitimate Palestinian rights and aspirations,” he told AFP.

Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said observers should be “under no illusion” that Israeli-Turkish ties will be as good as they were during the 1990s.

“As long as Erdogan is in power there will be a certain amount of hostility from Turkey towards Israel, because of his Islamist connection. He will continue to support Hamas for instance,” he told AFP.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza’s 2.3 million residents since 2007 and — along with many Western nations — designates Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

DAWN
 
MenInG said:
Israel and Turkey announced the resumption of full diplomatic ties on Wednesday, following years of strained relations between the Mediterranean nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the diplomatic breakthrough as an “important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel”.

Lapid’s office said the diplomatic development will see ambassadors and consuls general posted to the two countries once more.

The announcement follows months of bilateral efforts to mend ties, with reciprocal visits by top officials.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the return of ambassadors “is important to improve bilateral ties”, while still vowing to “defend” Palestinian rights.

Cavusoglu in May became the first Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel in 15 years, during a trip which also saw him meet the Palestinian leadership in the occupied West Bank.

During a landmark visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Ankara two months earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proclaimed their meeting marked “a turning point in our relations”.

Bilateral relations began to fray in 2008, following an Israeli military operation in Gaza.

Relations then froze in 2010 after the deaths of 10 civilians following an Israeli raid on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship, part of a flotilla trying to breach a blockade by carrying aid into Gaza.

A brief reconciliation lasted from 2016 until 2018, when Turkey withdrew its ambassador and expelled Israel’s over the killing of Palestinians. More than 200 Gazans were shot dead by Israeli forces during border protests from 2018 to 2019.

Turkey’s economic woes

Reconciliation publicly got underway after Herzog took office in July 2021.

The Israeli president on Wednesday said the full renewal of ties “will encourage greater economic relations, mutual tourism, and friendship between the Israeli and Turkish peoples”.

Despite the diplomatic differences in recent years, trade had continued and Turkey has remained a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

Israel however warned its citizens to return home in June, citing an Iranian assassination plot against its nationals in Istanbul.

Lapid then thanked Ankara for its cooperation on the issue and Israelis swiftly resumed their Turkish holidays.

Israel has been wary of upsetting regional allies over its decision to strengthen ties with Turkey, with Herzog dispatched to Cyprus and Greece ahead of his Ankara trip.

Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Turkey’s financial crisis is likely behind the renewed relations.

“Turkey needs to improve its economic standing to attract foreign direct investment,” she told journalists, pointing to Ankara’s efforts to boost ties elsewhere in the Middle East.

“This normalisation attempt is basically to make the diplomatic standing [of Turkey] better, to attract foreign direct investment,” she added.

‘Defend’ Palestinians

Turkey has meanwhile been keen to stress that its normalisation with Israel could yield benefits for the Palestinians.

“As we have always said, we will continue to defend the rights of Palestinians,” Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

As well as its relations with the Palestinian leadership based in the West Bank, Turkey has also maintained ties with Hamas, which rules Gaza.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political leadership, said the group expressed “condemnation” of any efforts to strengthen ties with Israel.

“We expect all Arab, Muslim and friendly countries to move towards isolating this occupation (Israel), and to pressure it to respond to our legitimate Palestinian rights and aspirations,” he told AFP.

Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said observers should be “under no illusion” that Israeli-Turkish ties will be as good as they were during the 1990s.

“As long as Erdogan is in power there will be a certain amount of hostility from Turkey towards Israel, because of his Islamist connection. He will continue to support Hamas for instance,” he told AFP.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza’s 2.3 million residents since 2007 and — along with many Western nations — designates Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

DAWN
Click to expand...

Disappointing. Expected better from Erdogan.
 
Don't blame Erdogan. Turkey's economy is in bad shape. They have to mend fences with Israel , Saudi Arabia , UAE to get economic assistance

Beggars cannot be choosers !
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suspended election campaigning after he fell ill during a live TV interview in which the broadcast was abruptly brought to a halt.

After a 20-minute break, he returned to say he had "serious stomach flu" after two days of intense campaigning.

Mr Erdogan, 69, is facing his toughest election campaign so far.

The main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has been chosen to run for a group of six political parties.

He was among a number of opposition leaders to wish the president a speedy recovery.

Health minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday that the president's health was fine and that he had "infectious gastroenteritis". He said he would resume his scheduled daily programmes as soon as possible.

Latest polls suggest a close race for the presidency, with Mr Kilicdaroglu in with a good chance of electoral victory.

The first round takes place on 14 May, with a possible presidential run-off two weeks later.

President Erdogan initially cancelled three campaign appearances in central Anatolia on Wednesday, saying he had been advised to stay home on the advice of doctors.

He then cancelled his scheduled events on Thursday, too, including the opening of Turkey's first nuclear power station at Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast.

Instead, a pale and tired-looking Mr Erdogan joined Russia's Vladimir Putin in taking part in the inauguration online.

BBC
 
At campaign rallies across Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has missed no opportunity to attack gay and trans people. “We are against the LGBT,” he told one rally near the Black Sea. “Family is sacred to us – a strong family means a strong nation.”

At another rally earlier this month, Erdoğan accused every party in Turkey’s opposition coalition of being LGBT.

When Turkish voters go to the polls in parliamentary and presidential elections on 14 May, LGBTQ+ rights as well as women’s rights will be on the ballot. Erdoğan has withdrawn Turkey from the Council of Europe’s Istanbul convention on violence against women and pushed a conservative vision of family values while attacking groups that defend women and queer rights.

For many Turkish women and the LGBTQ+ community, the forthcoming vote represents a stark choice. They say Erdoğan’s re-election risks further fuelling a culture war that he and his supporters have done much to inflame, empowering institutions to crack down on anyone seen as different and to turn a blind eye to a statewide problem of violence against women, gay and trans people.

We’re dealing with a hazardous environment, where women and LGBTQ people are attacked

Gülsüm Kav, We Will Stop Femicide

“For us, this election is critical,” says Zarife Akbulut, of the LGBTQ+ rights group SPoD (Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association). “LGBTQ rights are considered human rights in a changing world, but this concept doesn’t exist in Turkey.”

An Erdoğan victory, says Akbulut, risks formalising into policy the kind of hatred that the president has deployed on the campaign trail, and legitimising attacks on gay rights, particularly the right to organise.

“We’ve seen cases where the LGBTQ flag was treated as something illegal,” she says. “The parties in his bloc want the closure of LGBTQ rights organisations, and activists could be arrested over claims that they’re spreading what they call propaganda.”

Despite plenty of highly visible female candidates as well as a handful of openly trans candidates standing for the Workers’ party of Turkey, representation has some way to go. Women are rare in senior leadership positions, barring Meral Akşener, head of the nationalist İYİ party, who has maintained her political appeal through a largely rightwing base.

Akşener has spoken openly of Turkey’s need to return to the Istanbul convention, but has been more cautious on gay rights, stating that while she would be unhappy with a gay child she was also against violence towards LGBTQ+ people.

The Women’s Platform for Equality (EŞİK), a feminist coalition, found that leftwing parties were far more likely to field female candidates, but no party managed gender parity in any of its electoral lists. Political parties across the spectrum, EŞİK said, often placed female candidates in positions on electoral lists that meant they were unlikely to make it into parliament but still required work from women to campaign.

EŞİK also found that many parties were fielding no female candidates on many of their lists across provinces nationwide. This was the case in 40 provinces for the ultranationalist Nationalist Movement party (MHP), in 30 provinces for Erdoğan’s Justice and Development party (AKP), in 22 for the İYİ party, and in 21 provinces for the social democratic Republican People’s party (CHP).

EŞİK has estimated that 117 female deputies will be elected to Turkey’s 600-seat parliament, putting the proportion of women in the assembly at just under a fifth.

“We see in these elections that political representation is unequal,” says Gülsüm Kav, a co-founder of the group We Will Stop Femicide (WWSF), which fights violence against women and LGBTQ+ people in Turkey.

The group was issued with a closure order on “public morality” grounds last year, and Kav, along with the other founders, now regularly appears in court as part of a long judicial battle to ensure WWSF remains open and able to work without threats.

Turkey was only just beginning to see the effects of its withdrawal from the Istanbul convention in 2021, says Kav, amid a suspected rise in femicides that her organisation is continuing to monitor.

“The violence has escalated while also changing in nature,” she adds. “It took on a more severe character.”

Kav says cabinet ministers’ statements on the campaign trail, including Erdoğan’s, have intensified an environment of intimidation against women and LGBTQ+ people.

“Our ears are bombarded with this propaganda, such as strange claims like if you vote for the opposition, your child will become gay. So we’re dealing with a hazardous environment, where women and LGBTQ people are attacked,” she says.

Guardian
 
Turkey decides on future with or without Erdogan

Turks are voting in the most pivotal elections in their modern history, to decide if Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains president after 20 years in power.

His main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, promises to scrap many of the powers acquired by President Erdogan after he survived a failed coup in 2016.

Buoyed by a broad opposition alliance, he has a real chance of winning.

But this race has become so intense and the stakes so high that campaigning went up to the wire.

President Erdogan was filmed stretching election rules by addressing worshippers at Saturday evening prayers in Istanbul.

To secure outright victory on Sunday, the winner needs more than 50% of the vote. Otherwise it goes to a run-off in two weeks' time.

Turkey's 64 million voters go to the polls in particularly hard times.

Rampant inflation is officially almost 44%, but many Turks believe it is far higher, while 11 of the country's provinces have been affected by twin earthquakes that left more than 50,000 people dead.

At an optician's in Ankara, Burak Onder complained that hardly anyone was buying glasses any more: "People don't even ask for discounts, they can't afford it."

Inflation soared as President Erdogan abandoned orthodox economics, cutting interest rates while most other countries raised theirs.

A few doors down the street, shopkeeper Rahime revealed layers of price labels that she stuck on top of each other almost daily because of soaring costs.

"People come in and ask why are prices rising all the time, and they leave without buying anything," she said.

Rahime's 19-year-old daughter Sudenur feels anxious about the future, and is worried she may not be able to fulfil her ambition of studying sport science.

As a first-time voter, she and five million others like her are expected to make a big difference to the election result.

...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65581251
 
ISTANBUL, May 14 (Reuters) - Turkey's opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said he was leading against President Tayyip Erdogan in Sunday's presidential election despite state media putting Erdogan ahead in early results.

Sources from both camps said that based on partial results, the presidential election is likely heading for a runoff vote on May 28, with neither of the two main candidates reaching the 50% threshold needed for an outright win.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
Citing manipulation in the reporting of early results in previous elections, Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said on TV that no one should heed early results shared by state-owned Anadolu Agency.

Fresh results from Anadolu broadcast by Turkish media showed Erdogan ahead with 51.84% of votes compared to Kilicdaroglu with 42.53%, with 59.44% of ballot boxes counted.

Kilicdaroglu said on Twitter: "We are leading."

"We can say this comfortably: Mr. Kilicdaroglu will be announced as the 13th president of our country today," Imamoglu said in a news conference.

Sunday's vote is one of the most consequential elections in the country's 100-year history, a contest that could end Erdogan's imperious 20-year rule and reverberate well beyond Turkey's borders.

Opinion polls before the election had given Kilicdaroglu, who heads a six-party alliance, a slight lead, with two polls on Friday showing him above the 50% threshold.

The presidential vote will decide not only who leads Turkey, a NATO-member country of 85 million, but also how it is governed, where its economy is headed amid a deep cost of living crisis, and the shape of its foreign policy.

The elections, which are also for parliament, are being intently watched in Western capitals, the Middle East, NATO and Moscow.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
A defeat for Erdogan, one of President Vladimir Putin's most important allies, will likely unnerve the Kremlin but comfort the Biden administration, as well as many European and Middle Eastern leaders who had troubled relations with Erdogan.

Turkey's longest-serving leader has turned the NATO member and Europe's second largest country into a global player, modernized it through megaprojects such as new bridges, hospitals and airports, and built a military industry sought by foreign states.

But his volatile economic policy of low interest rates, which set off a spiralling cost of living crisis and inflation, left him prey to voters' anger. His government's slow response to a devastating earthquake in southeast Turkey that killed 50,000 people added to voters' dismay.

Kilicdaroglu has pledged to set Turkey on a new course by reviving democracy after years of state repression, returning to orthodox economic policies, empowering institutions who lost autonomy under Erdogan's tight grasp and rebuilding frail ties with the West.

Thousands of political prisoners and activists, including high level names such as Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtas and philanthropist Osman Kavala, could be released if the opposition prevails.

POLARISED POLITICS

"I see these elections as a choice between democracy and dictatorship," said Ahmet Kalkan, 64, as he voted in Istanbul for Kilicdaroglu, echoing critics who fear Erdogan will govern ever more autocratically if he wins.

"I chose democracy and I hope that my country chooses democracy," said Kalkan, a retired health sector worker.

Erdogan, 69, is a veteran of a dozen election victories, and says he respects democracy and denies being a dictator.

Illustrating how the president still commands support, Mehmet Akif Kahraman, also voting in Istanbul, said Erdogan still represented the future even after two decades in power.

"God willing, Turkey will be a world leader," he said.

The parliamentary vote is a race between the People's Alliance comprising Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party (AKP) and the nationalist MHP and others, and Kilicdaroglu's Nation Alliance formed of six opposition parties, including his secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), established by Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

With 40.95% of ballot boxes counted, HaberTurk put Erdogan's alliance on 54.22% and the opposition alliance on 31.83% in the parliamentary vote.

CHANGE OR CONTINUITY

Erdogan, a powerful orator and master campaigner, has pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail. He commands fierce loyalty from pious Turks who once felt disenfranchised in secular Turkey and his political career has survived an attempted coup in 2016, and numerous corruption scandals.

However, if Turks do oust Erdogan it will be largely because they saw their prosperity and ability to meet basic needs decline, with inflation that topped 85% in Oct. 2022 and a collapse in the lira currency.

Erdogan has taken tight control of most of Turkey's institutions and sidelined liberals and critics. Human Rights Watch, in its World Report 2022, said Erdogan's government has set back Turkey's human rights record by decades.

Kurdish voters, who account for 15-20% of the electorate, will play a vital role, with the Nation Alliance unlikely to attain a parliamentary majority by itself.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is not part of the main opposition alliance but fiercely opposes Erdogan after a crackdown on its members in recent years.
 
No official result yet but Erdogan is ahead with over 50% of the votes and over 325 seats.

This is a crucial election for the planet. If Erdogan loses, Turkey will be back to a NATO puppet. Atm they are in NATO but continue to deal with Putin and Russia. If the opposition wins, expect conflict between Russia and Turkey.
 
ISTANBUL, May 14 (Reuters) - Turkey headed for a runoff vote after President Tayyip Erdogan led over his opposition rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu in Sunday's election but fell short of an outright majority to extend his 20-year rule of the NATO-member country.

Neither Erdogan nor Kilicdaroglu cleared the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second round, to be held on May 28, in an election seen as a verdict on Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian path.

The presidential vote will decide not only who leads Turkey but also whether it reverts to a more secular, democratic path, how it will handle its severe cost of living crisis, and manage key relations with Russia, the Middle East and the West.

Kilicdaroglu, who said he would prevail in the runoff, urged his supporters to be patient and accused Erdogan's party of interfering with the counting and reporting of results.

But Erdogan performed better than pre-election polls had predicted, and he appeared in a confident and combative mood as he addressed his supporters.

"We are already ahead of our closest rival by 2.6 million votes. We expect this figure to increase with official results," Erdogan said.

With almost 97% of ballot boxes counted, Erdogan led with 49.39% of votes and Kilicdaroglu had 44.92%, according to state-owned news agency Anadolu. Turkey's High Election Board gave Erdogan 49.49% with 91.93% of ballot boxes counted.

Thousands of Erdogan voters converged on the party's headquarters in Ankara, blasting party songs from loudspeakers and waving flags. Some danced in the street.

"We know it is not exactly a celebration yet but we hope we will soon celebrate his victory. Erdogan is the best leader we had for this country and we love him," said Yalcin Yildrim, 39, who owns a textile factory.

The results reflected deep polarization in a country at a political crossroads. The vote was set to hand Erdogan's ruling alliance a majority in parliament, giving him a potential edge heading into the runoff.

Opinion polls before the election had pointed to a very tight race but gave Kilicdaroglu, who heads a six-party alliance, a slight lead. Two polls on Friday showed him above the 50% threshold.

The country of 85 million people - already struggling with soaring inflation - now faces two weeks of uncertainty that could rattle markets, with analysts expecting gyrations in the local currency and stock market.

"The next two weeks will probably be the longest two weeks in Turkey's history and a lot will happen. I would expect a significant crash in the Istanbul stock exchange and lots of fluctuations in the currency," said Hakan Akbas, managing director of Strategic Advisory Services, a consultancy.

"Erdogan will have an advantage in a second vote after his alliance did far better than the opposition's alliance," he added.

A third nationalist presidential candidate, Sinan Ogan, stood at 5.3% of the vote. He could be a "kingmaker" in the runoff depending on which candidate he endorses, analysts said.

The opposition said Erdogan's party was delaying full results from emerging by lodging objections, while authorities were publishing results in an order that artificially boosted Erdogan's tally.

Kilicdaroglu, in an earlier appearance, said that Erdogan's party was "destroying the will of Turkey" by objecting to the counts of more than 1,000 ballot boxes. "You cannot prevent what will happen with objections. We will never let this become a fait accompli," he said.

But the mood at the opposition party's headquarters, where Kilicdaroglu expected victory, was subdued as the votes were counted. His supporters waved flags of Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and beat drums.

KEY PUTIN ALLY

The choice of Turkey's next president is one of the most consequential political decisions in the country's 100-year history and will reverberate well beyond Turkey's borders.

A victory for Erdogan, one of President Vladimir Putin's most important allies, will likely cheer the Kremlin but unnerve the Biden administration, as well as many European and Middle Eastern leaders who had troubled relations with Erdogan.

Turkey's longest-serving leader has turned the NATO member and Europe's second-largest country into a global player, modernised it through megaprojects such as new bridges and airports and built an arms industry sought by foreign states.

But his volatile economic policy of low interest rates, which set off a spiralling cost of living crisis and inflation, left him prey to voters' anger. His government's slow response to a devastating earthquake in southeast Turkey that killed 50,000 people earlier this year added to voters' dismay.

PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY

Kilicdaroglu has pledged to revive democracy after years of state repression, return to orthodox economic policies, empower institutions that lost autonomy under Erdogan and rebuild frail ties with the West.

Thousands of political prisoners and activists could be released if the opposition prevails.

Critics fear Erdogan will govern ever more autocratically if he wins another term. The 69-year-old president, a veteran of a dozen election victories, says he respects democracy.

In the parliamentary vote, the People's Alliance of Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AKP, the nationalist MHP and others fared better than expected and were headed for a majority.
 
Sinan Ogan endorses Erdogan in Turkey’s presidential run-off
Third-placed candidate says he will support incumbent in Sunday’s second round of voting.

Sinan Ogan, who finished third in last week’s Turkish presidential election, has thrown his support behind the incumbent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the the run-off that takes place on May 28.

Ogan endorsed Erdogan at a news conference in the capital Ankara on Monday and said his campaign made nationalists “key players” in Turkish politics.

“We believe our decision will be the right decision for our country and nation,” Ogan said, citing Erdogan’s parliamentary majority as a reason for his decision.

“It is important that the newly elected president is under the same [leadership] as the parliament. [Kilicdaroglu’s] alliance on the other hand, could not display sufficient success against the People’s Alliance which has been in power for 20 years, and could not establish a perspective that could convince us about the future.”

The decision to back Erdogan was based on a principle of “non-stop struggle [against] terrorism”, he added.

The announcement comes as Turks head back to the polls on Sunday to decide whether Erdogan or the main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, will lead the country for the next five years.

Al Jazeera
 
Early results show President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the lead in Turkey's presidential election
Officials said with more than half of ballot boxes counted, Erdogan was on 54.47% of the vote
His secular rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, was on 45.43%
No candidate managed to secure 50% of votes in the first round, with Erdogan on 49.52% and Kilicdaroglu on 45%
Key issues for voters include soaring inflation and the cost of living, as well as the aftermath of devastating earthquakes
 
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is claiming victory in the Turkish election

Erdogan's challenger has launched a fiery speech - condemning President Erdogan's authoritarian government and what he called an unfair election.

"You should know that we will stand against those difficulties awaiting us," he says.

What he didn't do was admit defeat - even if the results are all heading in that direction.

He thanked the 25 million Turks who voted for him, to loud cheers in the auditorium. "Stand up, and walk proudly," he said.
 
Putin congratulates Erdogan on victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his apparent re-election, according to the Kremlin.

"The election victory was a natural result of your selfless work as the head of the Republic of Turkey, clear evidence of the support of the Turkish people for your efforts to strengthen state sovereignty and conduct an independent foreign policy," Putin's letter said.

Erdogan and Putin have been long-time allies, and Turkey has been more neutral on the Russian invasion of Ukraine compared to its Nato allies.
 
Great news!

Cue the West crying and claiming Russian rigged and interfered with the elections.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cricket Warrior
Foreign governments reaction on Indian aggression against Pakistan 2025
Replies
15
Views
829
mazkhan
M
Hitman
Turkey’s Erdogan calls for Islamic alliance against Israel’s ‘threat of expansionism’
Replies
20
Views
719
Champ_Pal
C
Ball Blazer
Iran-Israel conflict 2025: Pakistan - the unexpected mediator between Israel/US and Iran?
Replies
6
Views
311
HalBass9
HalBass9
daytrader
PM Shehbaz Sharif speaks at the UNGA session (India reacts!)
Replies
9
Views
2K
MenInG
MenInG
MenInG
Turkey condemns 'vile' Sweden Quran-burning protest
2 3 4
Replies
257
Views
12K
The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle
Back
Top