Pakistan is planning to sign an agreement with Turkey allowing Pakistanis to easily acquire Turkish nationality. The agreement will also allow Turkish citizens to do the same.
The bilateral dual nationality agreement was first discussed in a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmad Shah and Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul. Moreover, the Turkish government, in collaboration with Islamabad Police, will introduce a patrolling force like the Dolphin Force of Punjab Police. Addressing the media representatives after the meeting, the Turkish ambassador revealed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit Pakistan on 13th February. A delegation of high-level officials and prominent Turkish businessmen will accompany President Erdogan for a 2-day visit.
What would happen if this deal follows through?
If citizens of both Pakistan and Turkey were able to attain citizenship and dual passports of each others’ countries, it would mark the largest bilateral move in both of the young nations’ history and would add significantly to their already-strong relations. Earlier this month, Pakistan extended time to Turkey to deliver domestically-made T129 attack helicopters, which were delayed due to the sanctions the US imposed on Turkey. In May last year, Pakistan also added Turkey to its visa-free travel list, making strives in tourism and business between the two.