Turkey and Pakistan’s relations have improved in the past few months. Turkey has taken the side of Pakistan at international platforms, while Pakistan has also described Turkey as its all-weather friend. Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, is taking advantage of the closeness between the two nations as it has started working with Turkey’s intelligence.
Turkey–Pakistan open intel coordination
According to Sunday Guardian Live, the intelligence agencies of both nations have openly started coordinating rather than operating secretly. In the past few months, several incidents have surfaced where both countries have come together—whether it is related to gathering intelligence on terrorism or nabbing criminals at the border.
Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Pakistan’s ISI took action against ISIS terrorist Ozgur Altun, alias Abu Yasir al-Turkey. MIT was keeping digital surveillance on Altun’s movements.
ISI nabs Altun after MIT alert
MIT came to know that Altun was planning to enter Pakistan, and it informed the ISI about it. ISI officials arrested Ozgur Altun and handed him over to Turkey. After this, the two intelligence agencies continued working together.
Several suspects were arrested in Turkey in coordination with Pakistan’s ISI, and most of the suspects belonged to South Asia. These suspects allegedly helped armed groups in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Europe. The actions were taken after receiving inputs from Pakistani channels.
Analysts flag structural shift
Officially, ISI’s name was never mentioned, but Turkish and regional reports describe this as coordination between Pakistan and Turkey. Analysts say this marks a structural change that has come after long-term investment in cooperation.
Turkey provides ISIS a strategic geographical location, and it helps Pakistani intelligence expand its reach in Western Asia. Turkey is a nation located between Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and Central Asia. It monitors Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. With MIT’s coordination, ISI gets help in extending its reach into these countries. This pattern is giving Islamabad and Ankara extensive defence and security cooperation.
Pakistan receives significant help
Analysts say Pakistan receives significant help from MIT on matters related to Afghanistan, as it no longer has to depend solely on Pakistani channels. With Turkey’s support, Pakistan can keep a closer check on Afghanistan.
