President arrives in Turkey on three-day visit

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday arrived in Istanbul on a three-day visit to Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He was received by Deputy Governor Istanbul, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi and other senior officials.

During his stay in Turkey, the president will address the inaugural ceremony of new international airport of Istanbul.

Presidents and prime ministers of several other countries will also participate in the ceremony.

Arif Alvi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Turkish counterpart and leaders of other countries on the occasion.

Read More: President Alvi says Pakistan not establishing ties with Israel

Earlier, talking to newsmen at Islamabad International Airport prior to his departure, the president said Turkey was an important friend of Pakistan, which had always supported us on all issues, including Kashmir.

He said Pakistan was grateful to Saudi Arabia for providing financial assistance to overcome economic crisis.

Arif Alvi said besides Saudi Arabia, we will also invite other friendly countries to invest in the country.

To a question, he termed reports of landing of an Israeli aircraft in Pakistan baseless and unfounded. He said Pakistan was not going to establish any ties with Israel.

The president said Pakistan had been supporting Palestine because like Kashmir, Gaza had also been faced with unprecedented atrocities.

Pursuing the government’s ongoing austerity drive, the president opted to travel by commercial flight.

Setting aside the protocol, the president himself got his luggage security screened and went through the immigration process after awaiting his turn in the queue.