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    • Expecting Turkish cooperation in economy, other areas: Premier Imran

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan was expecting cooperation from Turkey in various fields including economy.

    Addressing a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, he said, “We will take [bilateral] relations to higher level and learn from Turkish innovations.” PM Imran, who is on a two-day visit to Turkey, said Pakistan must also learn from Turkey’s healthcare system.

    “We face mutual problems and security threats,” said the Pakistani premier, adding that Ankara and Islamabad will play their part in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said an Afghanistan summit will soon be held in Istanbul.

    Commenting on ties with India, PM Imran said Kashmir issue was the main hurdle in peace between the two South Asian nations.

    Earlier in the day, PM Imran and President Erdogan agreed to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen economic ties between the two countries during a meeting in Ankara, according to a PM Office statement on Twitter.

    The premier had arrived in the Turkish capital on a two-day visit on Thursday. His delegation includes Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar.

    Addressing Turkey’s business community, PM Imran reminisced Pakistan as fasting growing economies back in the 1960s. “We were role models for developing countries. South Korea, Malaysia wanted to adopt our model. These countries moved ahead while Pakistan’s growth declined because of our socialist mindset.”

    Criticising Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s nationalisation policy; Imran said policy deterred wealth creation. “Profit-making was considered a sin. Businessmen, industrialists were hounded out of the country.”

    The policy, Imran said, was discarded in the 1980s but its influence on bureaucracy and politicians remained. “Our government feels wealth creation will help steer Pakistan out of the economic crisis. It will raise people out of poverty.”

    Hailing China as an example, he said the country had achieved what no other could in the history of mankind. “They lifted over 700 million people out of poverty line in 30 years.”

    PM Imran revealed that the government had set up an office in the prime minister’s secretariat aiming to boost investment. He underscored the importance of ridding society of corruption. “Corruption makes it difficult for small and medium enterprises to flourish. It becomes the reason behind countries failure to reach their potential.”

    The prime minister said his government realised hurdles faced by the Turkish businessmen in Pakistan and was focused to find solutions. “We assure you, you will find a completely different government,” he added.

    We are looking for investments in Pakistan and increasing the country’s exports and we want to provide employment to the young population, he said.

    Separately, FM Qureshi held a meeting with his Turkish Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and discussed regional and bilateral issues. According to Foreign Office, Qureshi appraised Turkish foreign minister of Pakistan’s efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

    On Thursday night, Pakistan’s delegation attended a banquet with leading Turkish business group. The dinner was hosted The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

    In his speech, PM Imran conveyed his government’s intent to enhancing trade between the two countries. He enphasised that Pakistan was on its way to strengthening its system of governance.

    The prime minister also elaborated the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will connect Pakistan will parts of the world and ease transportation and open business prospects.

    The Pakistani delegation also visited Mevlana Rumi Museum in Konya on Thursday.

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