ISLAMABAD – Terming strong and stable Pakistan imperative for durable peace in the region, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday said that both Pakistan and Turkey could bring peace and stability to the entire region through greater cooperation.
Addressing the joint sitting of the Parliament, the Turkish Premier said, “As long as we are in solidarity and continue our historical ties not a single regional obstacle can come in the way of regional peace and stability.”
Besides members of the Parliament, the joint sitting was also attended by the services chiefs, diplomats and elite of the town.
Turkey and Pakistan, Erdogan said, are two influential and strong countries of the region and will together continue to endeavour to strengthen global peace.
The distinguished guest expressed confidence that Pakistan would surmount the challenge of terrorism, which was a common enemy of the entire humanity. “You are not alone in your campaign against terrorism and extremism,” he said adding that Turkey too had suffered heavily from terrorism.
“In this context, let me underline that both my government and the Turkish people stand by their Pakistani brothers and we are ready to help address all their needs to the best of our abilities.” Erdogan hoped that through national reconciliation and solidarity, Pakistan would leave behind its troublesome days.
Turkish Premier who spoke at length about the multifaceted historical ties that exist between the two countries, said Pakistan had always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of Turkish government and its people.
He said Turkey had been a part of Friends of Democratic Pakistan group from the very beginning and always underlined the need to redress the issues confronting Pakistan, as it was key country to regional and global stability.
Erdogan urged all countries to fulfil pledges made at Tokyo donorsÂ’ conference on April 25 and said the group should ensure rapid implementation of projects in the areas of health and education.
“Cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey is not limited to bilateral ties but covers a much broader ground,” the Turkish Prime Minister said, adding that Pakistan had covered a lot of ground in terms of its relations with Afghanistan for the last two years. The tripartite – Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan – arrangement initiated by Ankara would further give boost to the existing relations and help remove misunderstandings between the two sides, he said.
Erdogan said a parliamentary dimension to this process was also being implemented and members of foreign relations committees of the parliaments of the three countries had already met at Ankara a few months back.
Terming relations between the two countries as historical, Erdogan said he felt at home in Pakistan.
Paying rich tributes to late Benazir Bhutto, the Turkish Premier said she was one of the most distinguished leaders of not only for Pakistan but also for the whole world. The entire world community had condemned her assassination in a suicide attack. He said Turkey had also passed a resolution to condemn BhuttoÂ’s killing.
Earlier in her welcome address, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fahmida Mirza paid glowing tributes to Turkish Premier terming him the trusted friend, a visionary leader and the popularly elected PM of brotherly republic of Turkey.
Terming his address to the joint sitting of the Parliament as historic one, she said for the past 12 years it had been the first address of any foreign dignitary to the Pakistani Parliament.
She also highlighted the role of Turkish Premier for the global peace and referred to his courageous support for the rights of Palestinian people. She said the time tested relations between the two countries would grow further in days to come.
Abdul Rashid Malik from Muzaffarabad adds: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said Pakistan and Turkey are both integral part of Muslim Ummah and both have religious, historical and social ties since decades and contribution of Turkish people and the government in relief measures and reconstruction task in the quake devastated areas in Azad Kashmir was the practical humble demonstration of the those brotherly feelings and socials ties.
Addressing a small ceremony here on Monday after inaugurating the projects of Social Welfare Centre, Women Welfare Centre, Sports Complex, Usmania Mosque, Kurshid National Library and Housing Colony for employees, Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had a cultural and Islamic heritage. This, he said was the motivating force behind the humble service the Turkish people and the government had done in the quake tragedy in Azad Kashmir. The Turkish people and Government would cherish to further cement these relations and would feel exalted to work hand in hand for solidarity of Muslim Ummah and economic and social development in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The Turkish Prime Minister accompanied by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmmood Qureshi, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chairman ERRA Saleem Altaf and Deputy Chairman ERRA Lt. Gen Sajjad Akram arrived Muzaffarabad by helicopter in the morning.
He was received at the helipad built near the Social Welfare Centre, which the Turkish Prime Minister inaugurated, by Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider and high officials. He had a cup of tea here and inaugurated the Social Welfare Centre constructed by a Turkish company with the help of Turkish people. The Turkish Prime Minister only mentioned the amount of Rs 35.85 million that was spent by Turkish government on the construction of District Management Complex (585 rooms).
All other projects ie Social Welfare Centre, Women Welfare Centre Sports Complex, Usmania Mosque, Khurshid National Library, 200 rooms housing accommodation for employees have been constructed with the financial contribution of the people of Turkey through “SAYYA KALAM” Company. He specially mentioned Usmania Mosque built by Turkish government as a symbol monument of Turkish Islamic heritage. The Turkish Prime Minister did not disclose the cost incurred on the construction of all these projects including the University campus in the heart of city Muzaffarabad which was built in the shortest time after the quake tragedy.
He said the cost on these projects was gift from the people of Turkey therefore this amount would not be disclosed.
He stayed there for one and half hour and flew back to Islamabad.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said here that Pakistan was insisting with India for resumption of dialogue process but India was avoiding it with one pretext or the other.
Today from the soil of Kashmir “I reiterate the offer for revival of dialogue process specially on Kashmir issue as that was the only option for restoring the peaceful relation between the two countries.
He said Turkish government and their people had a leading role in quickly delivering the relief goods to quake affected and immediately undertaking the rebuilding of projects.
Stable Pakistan a must for regional peace: Erdogan