Pakistan and Turkey: a strategic partnership in chaotic times.

• Author: Butt, Imtiaz Rafi

Byline: Imtiaz Rafi Butt

In the second week of February, 2020, President Tayyib Erdogan of Turkey made one of his most historic visits to Pakistan. In orthodox times, such official matters are attended by the President alongwith delegates from the Foreign Ministry, but instead, Erdogan was accompanied by his wife, close political allies and a group of most influential businessmen from Turkey. It is no surprise that he has come to Pakistan with a profound agenda.

Pakistan and Turkey are facing a peculiar set of challenges and each is of the view that through a strategic partnership, the impact of these challenges can be averted and turned into an advantage. It is important to note that Pakistan and Turkey are, at this point, at the entry level of bi-lateral relations, something Imran Khan and Tayyib Erdogan are set to change in the coming years.

The cultural, religious and political ties between the Muslims of the sub-continent and the people of Turkey go back to the early 1900s. During the colonial era and the dissolution of the Caliphate, the Muslims of the sub-continent adamantly fought for the rights of their Turk brethren, and upon the creation of modern Turkey, developed relations that have stood the test of time. Since early days, the ties between Pakistan and Turkey have continued on the basis of religious and cultural basis, which is transforming based on global socio-economic circumstances.

The most crucial part of the equation between Pakistan and Turkey are their common global position in the world. Both countries are Muslim countries with a reformed and contemporary view of religious and political values. Both Pakistan and Turkey are a contrast from monarchies like Saudi Arabia and other similar Middle East countries. The support for democracy runs deep. Just like Pakistan, Turkey has long struggled with military rule and intervention in politics, and has attempted to find common ground between authoritative Islamic governance and modern democracy. The struggles for human rights, liberty and freedom of expression and life have been the hallmark of political movements in both countries. Although, there is a difference in language, the tastes in foods, music, Sufism and art have remarkable similarity. By all means, there is much to gain in this communion.

The main motivation for Erdogan's visit was on the economic frontier. Despite, long standing relations and stable foreign affairs contact, Pakistan and Turkey have barely over...