Pakistan, Turkiye discuss initiatives on Religious Harmony and Employment Opportunities

Pakistan, Turkiye discuss initiatives on Religious Harmony and Employment Opportunities

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, met with Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Nazir Oglu to discuss initiatives aimed at fostering religious harmony and expanding job opportunities for Pakistani workers in Turkiye.

During the meeting, Minister Salik emphasized the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious bonds between Pakistan and Turkiye. He highlighted the unwavering support both countries have extended to each other on regional and international platforms, reaffirming their shared stance on key global issues.

Expressing sorrow over the tragic deaths of Pakistanis in the Morocco boat incident, Ambassador Oglu reassured Pakistan of Turkiye’s commitment to providing more employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers. He also revealed ongoing efforts to boost the supply of machinery to Pakistani industries and enhance technical training and educational projects in the country.

Ambassador Oglu noted that while several Turkish companies are successfully operating in Pakistan, there remains significant untapped potential for increasing joint investments and trade volume. He underscored the strong fraternal ties between the two nations, stating that enhanced economic cooperation could lead to significant milestones in trade and development.

Minister Salik highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to curb human trafficking and facilitate legal employment pathways. He shared that in the past year alone, 600,000 Pakistanis secured jobs abroad, with overseas Pakistanis sending a record remittance of $3.1 billion by December 2024.

To further strengthen economic collaboration, both sides agreed on the importance of establishing better banking channels between Pakistan and Turkiye. The meeting concluded with a commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in countering extremism, promoting interfaith harmony, and equipping skilled Pakistani workers with modern technical education to meet international job market demands.