KARACHI: Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Karachi, Mr. Ergul Kadak has emphasized that tourism represents a “low-hanging fruit” for Pakistan’s economic growth, which, if developed properly, could significantly reduce Pakistan’s dependence on external financial assistance from the IMF.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the Türkiye Consul General, while responding to suggestions regarding attracting Türkiye tourists to Pakistan, stressed that positive and credible success stories are essential to encourage tourism flows. Drawing parallels with Istanbul’s challenges during the 1990s, he observed that Karachi faces similar issues today but also possesses comparable potential for transformation.
The meeting was attended by President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Chairman Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Ahsan Arshad Sheikh, Chairman Fairs, Exhibitions & Trade Delegations Subcommittee Imran Moiz, along with members of the KCCI Managing Committee.
Türkiye CG further advised to actively engage social media influencers to project a positive image of Pakistan and Karachi, noting that modern tourists, particularly from Türkiye, rely heavily on online platforms for travel-related information. He said Pakistan has a great deal to offer, including scenic coastlines, beaches, cultural heritage and natural beauty, but emphasized that certain civic, safety, and service-related issues must be addressed to fully unlock this potential.
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Rehan Hanif and Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza presenting crest to Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Karachi, Mr. Ergul Kadak during his visit to KCCI. Chairman Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Ahsan Arshad Sheikh, Chairman Fairs, Exhibitions & Trade Delegations Subcommittee Imran Moiz, along with members of the KCCI Managing Committee and others are also seen in the picture.
Commenting on visa fee-related concerns, he acknowledged that the issue has been raised by multiple stakeholders and explained that visa fees are determined annually by Türkiye’s headquarters through a review process led by the Türkiye Ministry of Finance. He assured that the concern would be conveyed to the relevant authorities.
Responding to queries regarding visa processing delays, Türkiye CG clarified that applicants generally receive their passports within two weeks, which he described as an acceptable processing timeframe. He stated that approximately 95 percent of visa applications are processed within this period and added that the visa issuance system has improved significantly, with two weeks now serving as the standard benchmark.
On trade relations, the Consul General stated that negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Türkiye are ongoing and remain among the top priorities of both governments. He noted that the FTA is a key objective under the Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Economic Commission, and that a related protocol was signed in October during meetings held in Islamabad, reaffirming both sides’ commitment to advancing the agreement.
Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, while welcoming the Türkiye Consul General, stated that Türkiye is a key trading partner for Pakistan, with strong prospects for collaboration in textiles, construction, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, food processing, tourism, energy, information technology, and defense-related industries. He also acknowledged Türkiye’s consistent support for Pakistan on issues of core national importance, which has further strengthened mutual trust and goodwill.
President KCCI appreciated the role of the Türkiye Consulate in facilitating business-to-business linkages, trade delegations, and investment engagement, and expressed KCCI’s willingness to work closely with the Consulate to organize joint business forums, B2B meetings, trade exhibitions, and investment roadshows.
He also formally invited Türkiye companies to participate in the upcoming My Karachi Exhibition, scheduled to be held from 6th to 8th February 2026, noting that the exhibition has been organized annually by KCCI since 2004.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen Pakistan–Türkiye economic and commercial cooperation and to translate longstanding friendship into tangible economic outcomes.
