During his three-day official visit to Turkey, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar met with Professor Fahrettin Altun, the head of communications at the Turkish Presidency, to discuss joint media ventures between Pakistan and Turkey. The key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to air popular Turkish dramas on Pakistan Television (PTV) in collaboration with Turkey’s state-run TRT.
Tarar, who is representing Pakistan at the Stratcom Summit 2024 in Istanbul, highlighted the potential for deeper media cooperation between the two countries. He expressed confidence that such collaborations would strengthen public diplomacy and foster a better understanding of both nations’ cultures. The meeting also touched upon combating misinformation and Islamophobia, with both sides agreeing to form a working group involving Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Turkey’s Directorate of Communications to explore further cooperation.
The discussion also covered the growing popularity of Turkish entertainment in Pakistan, notably the success of the Turkish drama Ertugrul Ghazi, which has won widespread acclaim in Pakistan. Tarar emphasized the importance of promoting awareness about the historical ties between Pakistan and Turkey, particularly among the youth.
Professor Altun expressed interest in the development of media in Pakistan and acknowledged the mutual admiration between the two nations, citing the appreciation for Pakistani artists and musicians in Turkey. The meeting reinforced the long-standing brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey and laid the groundwork for future collaborations in media, entertainment, and cultural exchange.
This development follows broader efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties, including the removal of trade barriers and the enhancement of defense collaboration.
