Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the launching ceremony of a boat built for the Pakistani Navy, in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 15. Getty
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the launching ceremony of a boat built for the Pakistani Navy, in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 15. Getty
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the launching ceremony of a boat built for the Pakistani Navy, in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 15. Getty
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the launching ceremony of a boat built for the Pakistani Navy, in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 15. Getty

Turkey to work with Pakistan to stop new wave of Afghan migrants


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Follow the latest updates on Afghanistan here

Turkey will work with Pakistan to help stabilise Afghanistan and prevent a new throng of refugees, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"Turkey is facing a growing migratory wave of Afghans transiting through Iran," Mr Erdogan said, alongside Pakistani President Arif Alvi.

"We will continue efforts to enable the return of stability in the region, beginning with Afghanistan. To do that, we have to pursue and strengthen our co-operation with Pakistan.

"We are determined to mobilise all the means at our disposal to succeed."

The comments came as the Taliban were poised on the outskirts of Kabul to take power.

The Taliban resurgence comes after a decision by US President Joe Biden to pull out US troops by the end of the month. Nato troops were also withdrawing.

Mr Alvi was in Istanbul for the launch of a naval vessel built by Turkey for the South Asian nation, which shares a border with Afghanistan and is a key regional player.

Turkey has several hundred soldiers in Afghanistan and has offered to take charge of security at Kabul's international airport after the US completes its military withdrawal, provided financial and logistical support are available.

Mr Erdogan has also proposed to meet the Taliban leaders for talks.

Turkey's opposition is pressing the government to take strong measures to stop an influx of Afghan migrants.

The government has responded by increasing construction of a border wall with Iran in recent days.

"With this wall, we will totally stop the arrivals," Mr Erdogan said on Sunday.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

Updated: August 16, 2021, 4:07 AM