Islamabad: The Economic Affairs Division has informed all other ministries to gear up and complete their research for upcoming meetings of nine joint groups for Pakistan-Turkey cooperation in 71 departments, a news source reported. This is part of the federal government’s preparation to sign the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) and Plan of Action (PoA) with Turkey. The departments identified for collaboration include information technology, agriculture, trade, tourism, culture, transport, and power.
To facilitate this measure, the government plans to establish a new unit at the Economic Affairs Division to deal specifically with SEF; which will be headed by the federal minister for economic affairs. As per reports, a draft document for SEF has been approved and finalised by the federal cabinet, and will be signed during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Pakistan.
Moreover, a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) headed jointly by the Turkish president Prime Minister Imran Khan will be established. The HLSCC will be responsible for strictly monitoring the work of the SEF and providing guidance.
As per officials, each of the nine joint working groups will be assigned one focal person for maintaining records, implementing decisions and coordination. The working groups will hold two meeting annually, one at Pakistan and the other at Turkey. The groups are expected to brief the committee often about the progress of their department’s work.
