Pakistan PM's trip to Turkey 'to enhance existing ties'

Pakistan's information minister on Wednesday said Prime Minister Imran Khan's upcoming visit to Turkey would further strengthen the ties of both brotherly countries.

"Imran Khan has personal regards for [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his visit to Turkey will go a long way to strengthen already friendly ties," Chaudhry Fawad Hussain told Anadolu Agency.

Khan will depart for his two-day official visit to Ankara on Thursday upon the invitation of Erdogan.

This is Khan's first visit to Turkey since assuming his post in August.

He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Planning Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and Commerce and Trade Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood. 

During the two day visit, Khan will meet Erdogan and other top officials of Turkey and will discuss issues regarding the bilateral relations between the two countries, Hussain said, adding that new areas in bilateral cooperation and collaboration -- particularly in economic, trade and commercial relations -- will be explored.

Khan will also address a business forum and hold several meetings with Turkish businessmen and potential investors in Ankara, he added.

"I am sure this visit will be very fruitful and would help both sides to strengthen our existing relationship," Hussain said.

He said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close cultural, religious and historical ties as their fraternal bond was premised on brotherhood and people-to-people contacts.