General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, underscored the importance of bolstering defense ties and strengthening training cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement released on Wednesday. During his official visit to Turkey, the COAS prioritized the enhancement of defense relations in discussions with senior Turkish leadership.
This visit forms a significant part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between these two fraternal nations, aimed at fortifying their long-standing diplomatic and military bonds. General Munir seized the opportunity to engage with key Turkish figures, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as the foreign and defense ministers, the commander of the Turkish general staff, and leaders of the Turkish land and air forces.
The ISPR highlighted General Munir's commendation of the Turkish military's dedication to preserving peace and stability in the region, while also lauding the operational readiness of the Turkish armed forces. Furthermore, the ISPR noted that Turkish leaders expressed their gratitude for the collaborative efforts of Pakistan Army Engineers who assisted the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) teams during a tragic earthquake in Turkey earlier this year.
During his visit to Ankara, General Munir paid his respects to the revered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at his mausoleum, laying a floral wreath in his honor. Subsequently, he visited the Turkish land forces headquarters, where he received a guard of honor upon arrival. In recognition of his contributions to strengthening defense relations between the two nations, the Turkish Defense Minister and Commander of Turkish Land Forces conferred upon General Munir the prestigious Legion of Merit.
General Munir reaffirmed the enduring and robust brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkey, emphasizing Pakistan's unwavering support for the Turkish Land Forces in various domains. He underscored Pakistan's commitment to standing with its Turkish brethren in times of adversity and triumph, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to fortify the fraternal bonds between these two nations