Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s expected visit to Pakistan next month will be a ‘historic’ one, according to Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi. “Erdogan’s visit means a lot for every Pakistani, and every Pakistani is desperately waiting for this visit … it will [be] a historic [one],” Afridi told Anadolu Agency. Afridi’s remarks came on the sidelines of the 6th Ministerial Conference of Budapest Process, an interregional forum on migration, held this week in Istanbul. According to recent reports, Erdogan is expected to visit Pakistan in March where he is likely to announce a number of investment plans. “Turkey lives right here,” Afridi said, putting his right hand on his heart. “In the heart and the soul of every Pakistani, from right, left, or center … from any sect, from any background, every Pakistani values relations with Turkey,” he said. “Turkey has always stood like an elder brother for Pakistan and [for] this new government, which is taking to a new level where it will become an example for other countries,” Afridi said. “Every Pakistani is now waiting for the visit of the legendary president of Turkey, an inspirational leader,” he said. Describing meeting with the Turkish president as ‘my dream’ Afridi said, “I found him a genuine soul … someone who has taken Turkey to a level where Turkey is now competing at the highest level. So both countries have a bright future.” On boosting bilateral trade ties, Afridi said, “We are doing our homework along with our Turkish brothers and we will definitely take it to a level where it will obviously become an example for both countries and for coming generations.” The current volume between the two countries is $700 million, but according to Turkish ambassador to Islamabad Mustafa Ihsan, it could climb as high as $10 billion. When asked about Turkey’s interest in joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, Afridi said, “The CPEC is no doubt a game-changer. This particular opportunity can take relations to a different level. We, all the key stakeholders, can prosper from that and it will provide an opportunity to do [what is] needful.” “We have recently opened our doors, and we are emphasizing one point: that trade needs to be enhanced at all levels,” he said, adding that new procedures are set to ease travel restrictions by providing visas on arrival or electronic visas. “So our doors are open, we have got enormous potential and let me assure you the future belongs to Pakistan,” he added. On the Budapest Process conference, the minister said, “This particular initiative will go a long way for the sole reason that all stakeholders participated. Such interactions and such events will definitely do [what is] needful.” “Migration, whether for developing countries or developed countries, this is an issue that needs to be addressed under the UN charter,” he said. “Key areas were discussed and one thing is very fruitful, and the outcome is that all agreed to cooperate in the future. So that speaks in high volumes,” he added. “And the last message for Turkey is what Turkey has witnessed in the past, your values, your norms, your culture, your heritage speaks in high volumes, and every Pakistani believes in your ability, and we pray that prosperity may become the order of the day for Turkey and Pakistan,” he said. “Long live Pakistan and Turkey,” he added. Under the leadership of new Prime Minister Imran Khan, Afridi said, Pakistan is laying emphasis on its neighbours. “Pakistan as a nation has suffered enormously,” he said. “We are fighting the biggest war on land, we have made enormous sacrifices.” On the Pulwama attack, Afridi said, “The attack in Pulwama in the occupied valley was a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. However, Pakistan strongly rejects any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations.” “We have suggested to Indians that we are willing to cooperate and investigating it and … when it comes to dialogue anything related to terrorism we are willing to cooperate, willing to discuss everything,” he said. “We have opened our doors for our Indians brothers and sisters, we are neighbors and we are willing to cooperate,” he added. On relations between Pakistan and Iran, especially Tehran’s accusation of Pakistan’s involvement in last week’s attack in southeastern Iran that killed 27 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Afridi urged the need for ‘dialogue’. “We are providing every single facility through [which] we can achieve peace, and the narrative of this government is to promote peace at all levels,” he added. Afridi also hailed this week’s visit by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to Pakistan as part of his Asia tour. “This investment deals show that Pakistan is not only here to survive, Pakistan is here to compete,” he said. On Pakistan’s recent declaration of FETO – the group behind the defeated 2016 coup in Turkey – as a terrorist group, Afridi said, “Those who have violated a law or have become a scare in the face of humanity, they need to be given a lesson.” Published in Daily Times, February 23rd 2019.