I have a few questions for the Pakistani members here. I've noticed in my time here that a lot of Pakistani members have a (to me) strange affinity and cultural closeness to Turkey. I can't say if it's something that generalizes since I don't know many Pakistanis and their views about Turkey have never come up in conversation. So, my first question is is this affinity widespread among Pakistanis?
This bonhomie is something that I've noticed runs deeper than just affinity for a fellow Sunni Muslim state. For instance, I've never noticed Pakistanis here express similar feelings for Morocco or Algeria. Maybe Saudi Arabia, but that's more explainable by the large Pakistani diaspora there, its wealth and support of Pakistan, and its custodianship of Islam's holy sites. Turkey can't be explained in this way. What, in your opinion, is the reason for this closeness?
Also, and this has irked me somewhat, I see Turkish armaments held in higher esteem here than they should be. Pakistanis here seem to view them as equal, or superior to, Chinese weapons. That's simply false - Chinese weapons are more technologically advanced and far more price competitive. The only exceptions to this (and only on the technology front) are when Turkish manufacturers partner with European ones - in which case Pakistan is just buying the European stuff by proxy.
Turkey doesn't give Pakistan any special financial, diplomatic, or military support. Why the love?
