By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Turkey and Pakistan agreed on Tuesday to increase the number of scholarships for students at higher education institutions of both countries.

The decision was made in principle during a meeting between Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) head Mehmet Kose and Education Minister Baligh-ur-Rehman in capital Islamabad on Tuesday.

Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin and officials of Pakistani Education Ministry were also present at the meeting.

Kose said thousands of students had graduated from Turkish universities and Turkey now wished to increase scholarships for Pakistani students in the coming years.

"Turkey and Pakistan are two countries but one nation, and we would like to make our brotherly relations more visible," he told the meeting.

The Turkish side offered to explore more opportunities for increasing the number of Pakistani students in Turkey on scholarship.

Rehman welcomed the offer and likewise pledged to increase scholarships for Turkish students at Pakistani universities.

"Pakistani Education Ministry is ready to increase scholarships for Turkish students at our universities and we would also welcome Turkish students to come to Pakistan for their medical education," the minister said.

The two sides also agreed to enhance regular exchanges of faculty members and extend cooperation in technical education as well.

'Turkey has top education system like the Imam Hatip Anadolu Schools system and we need Turkey's help to establish the same system in Pakistan as well, Rehman added.