Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a series of high-level meetings with his counterparts from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka, focusing on boosting regional connectivity, logistics partnerships, and transport infrastructure.
In a detailed meeting with Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdul Kadir Oglu, Abdul Aleem Khan discussed the expansion of logistics and business cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey. Both sides agreed to enhance their partnership through the National Logistics Corporation (NLC).
Khan expressed his desire to develop a strong logistics partnership with Turkey, citing the country’s remarkable infrastructure progress under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He remarked that the presence of Pakistanis “in every street of Turkey” symbolizes the close and longstanding friendship between the two nations.
To further accelerate cooperation, the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) was appointed as the focal person to oversee Pak-Turkey communications projects.
Expanding cooperation with Saudi Arabia
The Federal Minister also met Saudi Deputy Minister of Transport Rumi Al-Rumi, who termed the historic ties between the two countries an “honor.” During the meeting, the Saudi official praised Pakistan’s arrangements for the Regional Ministers Transport Conference and invited Abdul Aleem Khan to visit Saudi Arabia.
Both sides discussed ways to strengthen business cooperation and develop sustainable transport infrastructure, with the Saudi side appreciating Pakistan’s efforts to enhance regional connectivity.
Support for Sri Lanka’s port
In his meeting with Sri Lankan Transport Minister Bimal Rath Naik, Abdul Aleem Khan assured Pakistan’s full cooperation in Sri Lanka’s port and logistics development projects. The Sri Lankan minister sought Pakistan’s technical assistance for the modernization of the island’s bus fleet and establishment of logistics centers.
Khan emphasised that Pakistan’s organizations such as the NLC and FWO could play an active role in the proposed collaborations, expressing readiness to support Sri Lanka in its upcoming consultations on transport development.
Coordination with ECO
Separately, Abdul Aleem Khan met with Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Secretary General Arshad Majeed to discuss regional transport initiatives.
Both sides agreed on the need for enhanced coordination with international organizations to achieve common development goals.
The meeting also reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad Trade Corridor, a key regional route that holds significant potential for boosting intra-regional trade and connectivity.
