Islamabad, October 27: PILDAT in collaboration with Rumi Forum, Islamabad organsied a talk by Dr. Ihsan Yilmaz, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Ph. D. programme, Fatih University, Istanbul, on Transformation of Turkey: Lessons for Pakistan here in Islamabad today.

Dr. Ihsan Yilmaz spoke about the Turkish history of civil-military relations in Turkey and its transition from a military dominated state to a plural democracy. He outlined how Turkey chastised its military through reforms. Dr. Yilmaz quoted that the concept of secularism was propagated through the media in Turkey. He also outlined how the Justice & Development Party, currently in power, is not Islamist or post-Islamist. He said that the current Government believes in the narrative Human Rights and modernization. He also talked about the economic and legal reform undertaken by the current government. He also talked about Turkey�s relationship with the European Union and the role it plays in the European Union.

Dr. Ihsan Yilmaz also answered several questions during the Q & A session including about the economic crises faced by Turkey in the past and its emergence as a strong economic force among the developing countries and role of its leadership and lesson for Pakistan; Economic prosperity of Turkey while managing negative consequences of polarization; successful establishment of civil and democratic superiority level of cooperation by military and role of the Turkish political parties and the political leadership and what are the lessons for countries like Pakistan.

The talk was attended by Parliamentarians, Politicians, Civil Society and Media representatives.