Turkish president welcomed with official ceremony in Pakistan

By Mikail Biyikli and Seda Sevencan

ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, was received with an official ceremony by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday.

Erdogan left his hotel in the morning and proceeded to the prime minister's office to meet with Sharif. Along the route, streets were decorated with Turkish and Pakistani flags, there were cultural performances unique to Pakistan, and groups dressed in traditional attire greeted him.

Following the formal ceremony, a live band played the national anthems of both countries.

After planting trees together, Erdogan and Sharif watched an honor flight performed by the Pakistan Air Force.

Following the presentation of delegations from both countries, Erdogan and Sharif proceeded to bilateral and delegation-level talks.

Erdogan also will participate in the seventh High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting.

After the meeting, the two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference.

Several high-ranking Turkish officials accompanied Erdogan, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Defense Minister Yaşar Guler, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacıir, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli and Trade Minister Omer Bolat.

Erdogan reached Pakistan after visits to Malaysia and Indonesia.​​​​​​​