A high-level delegation led by Commander of the Turkish Air Force, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, called on Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at Air Headquarters in Islamabad where matters of regional security and defence collaboration came under discussion.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the delegation was accorded a warm welcome on arrival at Air Headquarters, where a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) presented a guard of honour to the visiting commander.
The meeting entailed a detailed exchange of views on the evolving security environment in the region, progress in ongoing defence cooperation, and prospects for joint engagement in emerging domains of modern warfare.
The Air Chief underscored the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, founded on shared religious values, common aspirations, and strategic harmony. He highlighted that the arrival of the first group of Turkish cadets for training at PAF Academy Asghar Khan marked a milestone in bilateral defence relations. This development, he noted, opens a new chapter of partnership built on mutual trust and the shared vision of preparing future generations of air warriors.
Both commanders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration in various fields, with particular focus on joint training, bilateral exercises, and multi-domain operations.
The ISPR said General Kadıoğlu lauded the PAF’s remarkable operational performance under the visionary leadership of the Air Chief during the recent standoff with India. He appreciated the Air Force’s unwavering resolve in defending national sovereignty and its state of operational readiness.
He also expressed keen interest in the PAF’s tested strategies and successes during the conflict, noting their relevance to strengthening multidomain warfighting concepts and enhancing preparedness. The Turkish Air Force leadership further conveyed its desire to study operational lessons drawn from the Pakistan-India military standoff in order to refine its own doctrine and reinforce overall readiness.
The visiting commander also praised the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, acknowledging the PAF’s strides in innovation, technological advancement, and self-reliance in the air and space domains.
Both sides reiterated their determination to learn from each other’s experiences and to move forward as a unified team based on shared knowledge and expertise.
General Kadıoğlu’s visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad, was described as a manifestation of the mutual resolve of both brotherly nations to deepen strategic cooperation, strengthen bilateral defence ties, and promote enduring institutional linkages between the armed forces of Pakistan and Türkiye.
