Consequent to a special invitation by the Turkish Presidency, CAS, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, made a landmark visit to Turkiye to attend the prestigious Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony as the Guest of Honor, which was held at Turkish Air Force Academy on September 1, 2023. The ceremony was also attended by H. E. Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Defense and Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar and Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, along with senior military commanders and high level state officials from across the world. 

The Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony, held at the Turkish Air Force Academy, is a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for the graduating cadets, as they mark the culmination of their rigorous training and embark on their journey as officers of the Turkish Air Force. The presence of Air Chief Marshal  Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu as the Guest of Honor adds to the significance of this event and underscores the deep-rooted camaraderie between the two air forces. During the event, CAS interacted with various high-level dignitaries including General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu, Commander of Turkish Air Force. CAS expressed his gratitude to the Turkish President, H. E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for extending such a warm invitation and reaffirmed PAF's commitment to fostering a robust partnership with the Turkish Air Force. He also emphasized the shared values and aspirations that form the foundation of the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and Turkiye. 
CAS expressed his unwavering commitment to enhancing the existing bilateral ties in military-to-military cooperation with Turkiye, especially in the field of defense production, two-way sharing of technology, and the joint development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft. He also reiterated his resolve to further deepen the strong bond of friendship uniting the two nations in the face of shared challenges and expressed a desire to explore additional avenues of collaboration in the defense and aviation sector.
A follow up to the recent Strategic Framework Agreement on Defense Collaboration, the visit serves as a testament to the deep-rooted historical, religious, cultural and strategic bonds shared between the two nations. Owing to this strategic framework, Turkiye's leading firms have already committed to strategic partnership by establishing their offices in the recently inaugurated “Alpha Techno Square” of Pakistan's esteemed National Aerospace Science and Technology Park. Subject framework has the potential to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and exchange across various sectors, particularly in aerospace and technology. The collaboration has also opened doors for joint ventures, technology transfer and knowledge sharing between the two countries, fostering growth and innovation in the aerospace industry.
During his trip abroad, CAS also called on General Gabor Böröndi, Chief of General Staff, Hungarian Defense Forces. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for military leadership of both sides to engage in fruitful discussions concerning mutual interests, strategic objectives and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation. CAS conveyed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening the existing partnership between the two countries and exploring possibilities for further collaboration in the defense sector.
The historic visit of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to Turkiye not only strengthens the existing ties between the two brotherly countries but also signifies the enduring commitment of both nations to work collaboratively towards a more secure and prosperous region.