Ekip
04 January 2019•Update: 04 January 2019
By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
Pakistani media are giving a wall-to-wall coverage to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s maiden visit to Turkey, terming the trip crucial for the government’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment.
Khan, who took oath as Pakistan’s 19th Prime Minister in last August following his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s victory in July 2018 general elections, is currently on a two-day visit to Turkey -- a longtime ally of this South Asian nuclear state.
All major TV channels and newspapers comprehensively covered Khan’s first day engagements in the capital Ankara and Konya with special emphasis on his meeting with Turkish investors and visit to the mausoleum of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi.
Pakistan’s largest business daily Business Recorder in its front page headline “PM makes a pitch for Turkish investors” highlighted Khan’s efforts to woo the Turkish investors to take potential of his country’s geo-strategic location and a huge potential for investment, especially in infrastructure and tourism.
Daily Jang -- the country’s largest circulated Urdu daily -- in its front page headline flashed Khan’s invitation to Turkish investors to invest in $64 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The corridor which is part of Beijing’s most ambitious foreign economic initiative-One Belt One Road- will connect northwest China to Pakistan's southwestern Gawadar port through a network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport cargo, oil and gas.
This will provide the shortest route to Chinese cargo destined for the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
Express, another largest Urdu daily, highlighted the premier’s assurance to the Turkish investors regarding his government’s efforts to improve infrastructure, which is a must to attract foreign investment.
The News International, an English daily, in its front page headline “Pak-Turkey trade be taken to high level-Imran” pointed Khan’s intention to boost the trade volume between the two countries.
The current volume between the two countries is $700 million, which according to Turkish ambassador to Islamabad, Mustafa Ihsan, has the potential to touch the $10 billion figure.
- Mevlana Rumi
Local broadcasters and newspapers gave exclusive coverage to Khan’s visit to the mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, considering spiritual relation between him and Allama Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet.
Iqbal -- better known as Iqbal Lahori outside Pakistan (1877 to 1938) -- acknowledged Rumi as his “spiritual teacher”. Iqbal’s poetry, according to many critics, is heavily influenced by that of Rumi.
Pakistanis recognize Rumi as one of the greatest Muslim mystic poets to have ever lived on earth. In fact, many learn about his poetry and short stories during their childhood as part of their school curriculum.
Rumi’s dervishes from Turkey visit Pakistan every year, whose performances are attended by thousands of people, including art and music lovers.
Daily Jang separately covered Khan’s visit to Rumi’s museum and published a three-column picture on the front page showing Khan standing in the museum and being briefed by the officials.
Khan also paid visit to the symbolic grave of Iqbal located in Rumi's mausoleum.
