Air Chief Marshal Zaheer participates in the Graduation and Flag Detachment ceremony at the Turkish Academy
ISLAMABAD: Following a unique invitation extended by the Turkish Presidency, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff for the Pakistan Air Force, embarked on a significant journey to Turkiye. His purpose was to participate as the Guest of Honour in the distinguished Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony hosted at the Turkish Air Force Academy.
The event was conducted at the Turkish Air Force Academy, stands as a moment of great pride and achievement for the graduating cadets. It signifies the culmination of their demanding training and the commencement of their roles as officers in the Turkish Air Force.
As stated in a press release received on Friday, the event also saw the presence of Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah, who serves as the Minister of State for Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, as well as Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, who holds the position of Minister of Defence for the Republic of Azerbaijan too attends the ceremony. They were joined by senior military leaders and prominent state officials from various countries worldwide.
At the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff engaged in discussions with numerous distinguished figures, among them General Ziya Cemal KADIOgLU, the Commander of the Turkish Air Force. The Air Chief expressed his appreciation for the gracious invitation extended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He reaffirmed the Pakistan Air Force’s dedication to strengthening a strong partnership with the Turkish Air Force, highlighting the common values and shared aspirations that underpin the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Turkiye.
The Chief of the Air Staff firmly conveyed his dedication to strengthening the current bilateral relations, particularly in the realm of military-to-military collaboration with Turkiye. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in defense production, mutual technology sharing, and the joint advancement of fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Furthermore, he reiterated his commitment to strengthening the robust friendship between the two nations in the face of common challenges and expressed a desire to explore additional opportunities for collaboration within the defense and aviation sectors.
As a continuation of the recent Strategic Framework Agreement on Defense Collaboration, this visit underscores the profound historical, cultural, religious and strategic connections that exist between the two nations. Thanks to this strategic framework, prominent Turkish companies have already demonstrated their commitment to a strategic partnership by establishing offices within Pakistan’s esteemed National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, located in the newly inaugurated “Alpha Techno Square.”
While on his international trip, the Air Chief also had a meeting with General Gabor Böröndi, Chief of General Staff for the Hungarian Defense Forces.
During this meeting, the Air Chief emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to reinforcing the current partnership between the two nations and exploring potential avenues for further cooperation within the defense sector.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu historical visit to Turkiye not only reinforces the already strong bonds between these two friendly nations but also underscores the lasting commitment of both countries to working together for a more secure and prosperous region, as stated in the press release.