Turkish President Erdogan, Sharif discuss ties, IS threat

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today made a brief visit to Pakistan and held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on a host of issues including economic cooperation and joint efforts to defeat the threat of Islamic State militant group.
Erdogan landed in Islamabad along with his wife in the evening for a brief stopover on his way back from Indonesia.
The two leaders discussed economic cooperation and joint efforts to defeat the threat of Islamic State militant group.
During the meeting, Sharif highlighted "vast opportunities to expand trade ties" with Turkey, according to an official statement.
Sharif also expressed satisfaction over progress in defence ties.

He also appreciated Turkish technical participation in various development projects in the last few years.

The Turkish President expressed his hope that mutual cooperation between the two countries shall increase in future.
Earlier, Erdogan was received by Sharif and Begum Kulsoom Nawaz at the Nur Khan airbase.
A contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented a salute on his first visit since assuming the office of Turkey's presidency.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Asif, Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present at the airport.

Sharif also hosted a dinner in Erdogan's honour.
Erdogan has made seven visits to Pakistan including the last one in 2013 as the Prime Minister.