China, Pakistan,Turkiye : Power of the Poor – Editorial by Editor Tazeen Akhtar for Magazine Pakistan in the World Feb 2025
Feb 2025 in its first half remained highly crucial for Pakistan as our President visited China while the Turkish President visited Pakistan. China and Turkiye both are not only powerful but influential countries and Pakistan is blessed to have close and cordial relations with both. Also Pakistan has strategic partnership with the two states. Both countries are connected with Pakistan through all spheres including trade and economy , G2G and in the defense sector as well.
Very unique phenomenon, in the case of relations, with both Turkiye and China is, the people of Pakistan have friendly ties with both nations. This is not seen in case of any third country whose people have close and historical bonds with Pakistanis. This factor qualifies Pakistan to build bridges between both friends to forge closer cooperation more than routine relations.
The Chinese President, Premier and other officials extended a warm welcome to President Zardari that was extra pleasant in a sense that in previous weeks , both iron brothers had to bear many blows to their bonds but both amicably passed through this difficult time.
From the Dasu attack to the Karachi attack, from the remarks issue of FM/DPM in Islamabad to the controversy of Interior Minister’s meeting in Washington, many things were disturbing. But all’s well that ends well.
President Xi Jinping, intellectually took the matters and Pakistani delegation including the Interior Minister succeeded in convincing him on the topics of concerns. China did not express anything about holding CPEC and investments that were being apprehended by some statesmen in Pakistan.
Security is the top priority for the Chinese gov and Pakistani officials are supposed to take it as the last chance where there is no more margin left. Unfortunately, the terrorism throughout the main route KPK Balochistan is on the rise. Mushahid Hussain Syed has pointed out many times that Pakistan gov is taking the security lightly and Chinese note it seriously.
Minister Maritime Qaisar Sheikh admitted last month that the security situation is not good around Gwadar. Therefore, the interior ministry should remain alert for any threat and do the needful before something happens again.
President Erdogan spent a busy day in Islamabad on 13 Feb and finalized 24 MoUs and Agreements that are not only about cooperation but transform it into a strategic partnership. Turkiye is taking care of different regions including Europe, South Caucasus and Middle East.
Fall of Asad in Syria has strengthened Turkiye more in the Middle East. Both countries are moving forward in the defense sector with multiple arrangements that will strengthen the military power of both nations.
Like China, Turkiye is also playing her role in the development of Pakistan. Turkiye is investing in different sectors of Pakistan and helping in the improvement of infrastructure as well. President Erdogan is one of few world leaders who have their own say in the community of nations.
Finally, Pakistan can open a window for China and Turkiye as it connected China with the US half century ago. China and Turkiye have many common things including the color of their flags. Both do not give in to the desires of hegemonic countries and both become support for poor nations. Both are emerging powers who keep check and balance in the world. Pakistan can see the prospects of creating a block from China to Turkiye.
The Embassies of China, Turkiye in Pakistan and Pak Missions in Beijing, Ankara, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan deserve applause and appreciations for these high level inter cations between three countries.
