Turkish PM arrives in Pakistan to boost energy co-operation

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan receive sweets as they arrive at Aitchison College in Lahore yesterday. Erdogan is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

DPA/Islamabad

Embattled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Pakistan yesterday to boost cooperation in the energy sector, officials said.

In Lahore, Erdogan oversaw the signing of an agreement on Turkish investment in a proposed project by the Pakistani government to build coal-fired power plants.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently announced several tax breaks for Turkish firms to invest in the country’s troubled energy sector.

Erdogan, under pressure in Turkey from corruption scandals involving key associates, led a delegation of ministers, businessmen and entrepreneurs.

More agreements on coal and hydropower projects were expected to be signed when Erdogan reaches the capital Islamabad.

Erdogan attended a grand cultural show at Atchison College in Lahore.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister of Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif as a military contingent fired a 19-gun salute of welcome after fireworks.

Erdogan was welcomed with dance and music in the biggest welcoming ceremony held in Lahore.

The Turkish prime  minister was presented a guard of honour by a traditionally-clad contingent of the paramilitary Rangers force. The grand cultural show was organised in honour of Erdogan, who showed interest in the ornaments and inquired about historical and cultural details.

Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, presented a horse to Erdogan as a gift.

Earlier, on his arrival at Allama Iqbal International airport in the country’s cultural hub Lahore, a military ceremony was held in honour of Erdogan, who was welcomed by Shahbaz Sharif and Turkey’s Ambassador in Islamabad Babur Girgin.

Erdogan is being accompanied by Economy Minister Zafer Çaglayan, Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım and two deputy chairmen of his Justice and Development Party (AKP), Numan Kurtulmu and Mevlut Cavusoglu.

He will spend a busy day today in the capital Islamabad, where he will meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.