Erdogan's Pakistan visit to boost bilateral ties: Imran Khan.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan's diplomatic efforts had played a vital role to reduce tensions in the Middle East following the recent US-Iran escalation.

'However, I think more efforts are needed and we will be trying our best,' he said, giving an interview to Turkish Anadolu Agency.

'After the missile attack in Saudi Arabia on the oil facility, Pakistan played its part. We spoke to Saudi Arabia, we went to Iran, spoke to the US last September and October. And actually, we feel we played our part bringing down tensions. But of course, you know, there has to be some more for a permanent solution. At the moment, things are still tense. But for the time, I feel that we have averted war,' the prime minister said.

He said there was a time when it seemed that there could be a conflict. But at the moment, it looked as if things were cooling down.

Speaking about the Pak-Turkish relations, he said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was expected to visit Islamabad mid-February and hoped the visit would further strengthen the brotherly relationship between Islamabad and Ankara.

Imran said both the countries had very close government to government relationship. Pakistan was grateful for the way Turkey stood with the people of Kashmir, he said. The statement by President Erdogan on the atrocities in Kashmir by a fascist BJP government was encouraging, he noted.

'So, our relationship in every way is getting stronger', he remarked.

PM Imran said Erdogan was expected to bring along various business houses and investors who would meet their Pakistani counterparts with an aim to enhance the bilateral trade.

He said Turkey could help Pakistan in many sectors including mining, adding Pakistan also desires technology transfer from Turkey in various areas.

To a question, the prime minister said Pakistan would also like to do something to commemorate 100 years of the Khilafat Movement this year.

Regarding his government's efforts on economic front, he said his team had curtailed the current account deficit by almost 75%. The rupee had stabilized, confidence in our economy was growing, while the stock market had gone up, he remarked.

'We have a big jump in our foreign investment. So, the country is stable right now. Now, it is a question of keeping it stable. You know, it is still a struggling head. But we are out of the big crisis which we had inherited,' the prime minister added.

The next challenge for the government was to bring...