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Thursday, October 3, 2024

Imran, Mahathir and Erdogan will lead a Muslim revival

Anadolu |

Pakistan welcomed an emphasis by the Turkish president and the Malaysian prime minister to initiate a Muslim renaissance with the cooperation of the three countries.

“Heartily welcome PM @chedetofficial and President @RTErdogan emphasis on Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan working together to initiate a Muslim renaissance and unite the Muslim world,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in a tweet.

During a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Ankara on Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said solidarity between Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan is necessary for unity of the Islamic world.

Read more: Malaysian PM Mahathir defends PM Khan’s statement on ‘U-turn’

“Statements are easy to make. But to have an effective action is far more important. That is why I proposed that Muslim countries should work together, at least these three (Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey)”, Erdogan said.

Mahathir echoed the statement saying: “Cooperation between Malaysia and Turkey will help relieve the Muslim Ummah from being subjugated by others.”

Qureshi also tweeted, “I was privileged to be part of the Ministerial meeting of the three countries on the sidelines of OIC’s Makkah Summit. This important trilateral initiative will go a long way in fostering unity, cooperation and development across the Muslim world.”

The Malaysian premier arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday evening for a four-day official visit.

“That is why I proposed that three Muslim countries should work together. At least these three [Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan]. So that we can speak with a louder voice in terms of many areas; defense, for example,” the Malaysian premier said.

Notably, Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia are among the founders of the Muslim-majority D-8 group that seeks to establish strategic relations, increased trade, and more cooperation among its members. However, the group is yet to realize its potential.

On the apparent failure of D-8, Bagci blamed “too much divisions, corruption and stagnation in Islamic world”.

“The new mechanism which Mahathir has suggested can bring together even Afghanistan and central Asian states,” he said.

Erdogan calls Imran

Turkish President Erdogan also called Pakistani Prime Minister Khan to offer condolences on the recent terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan.

At least 7 people were killed in two bomb explosions in D.I Khan on July 21.

According to a statement, Erdogan and Khan also discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and issues facing Muslim countries.

Read more: Turkey, Pakistan discuss counter terrorism efforts

They also noted that bilateral collaboration in diverse fields would be further strengthened during the next meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) to be held in Islamabad later this year.

In the regional context, Khan apprised Erdogan of Pakistan’s steadfast support to the international efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The situation in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir was highlighted by Prime Minister Khan, according to the statement.

The two leaders also discussed the Pakistan-Turkey-Malaysia trilateral process and exchanged views on the next steps.

Anadolu with additional input from GVS News Desk