Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah Meets Turkish Defence Leadership

Ankara: The Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah NI(M), who is on a four days bilateral visit to Turkey from 10-13 December, met here Wednesday with the Minister for National Defence of Turkey Mr. Ismet Yilmaz, Acting Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Recep Bülent Bostanoğlu, and Undersecretary for Turkish Defence Industries Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir.

The visiting Pakistani dignitary during his meeting with the Minister for National Defence Mr. İsmet Yılmaz discussed matters pertaining to further boosting defence ties. Mr. İsmet Yılmaz reassured to share Turkish defence sector experience with Pakistan. They discussed progress on the ongoing defence projects. Admiral Zakaullah said Turkey is one of the first foreign countries that he is visiting after assuming the office of the Chief of Naval Staff. He briefed the Minister about the successful international defence exhibition, IDEAS 2014, organized by Pakistan in Karachi. He said the response from foreign exhibitors from all over the world was overwhelming. He particularly mentioned the Turkish defence producers, who had the largest pavilion in the entire exhibition.

Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Zakaullah was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of Turkish Navy. In recognition of his services for promotion of cooperation between the two navies, he was decorated with “Legion of Merit of the Turkish Armed Forces” by his counterpart at an impressive ceremony. Both the commanders earlier held a meeting. Various matters of mutual interest aimed at further promoting ties between the navies of the two brotherly countries were discussed. Admiral Zakaullah invited Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu to visit Pakistan. He also reiterated earlier invitation to the Turkish Navy to participate in the forthcoming multinational naval exercise, Aman-2015, being organized by Pakistan in February 2015. Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan soon. He also confirmed that Turkish naval vessel “TCG Büyükada” will participate in Aman-15.

Admiral Zakaullah later on called on the acting Chief of Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler and discussed matters of mutual interest. General Yaşar Güler referred to his recent visit to Pakistan where he led Turkish delegation to the 10^th session of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Military Dialogue Group (HLMDG). Both the military leaders agreed to utilize HLMDG for further gearing up defence cooperation.

During his meeting with Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, Undersecretary for the Turkish Defense Industries, various proposals for joint production were discussed. They reviewed progress on the construction of Logistics Support Ship for Pakistan Navy being built by STM of Turkey at Karachi Shipyard. Prospects of further projects also came under discussion.

Earlier, Admiral Zakaullah and his delegation members visited Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to pay homage to Turkey’s first president and the great leader of its war of independence. He also visited Military Electronic Industries of Turkey (ASELSAN). During their stay in Turkey, the Pakistani delegation will be visiting shipbuilding and allied industries.