Mr. Gilani said Parliaments, as
true representatives of the popular will, have a central role to play in nation
building. He added that all state institutions need to work in harmony and in
accordance with their constitutional mandates. TGNA Speaker agreed with Mr.
Gilani on the supremacy of the Parliament and the free will of the electorate
to choose their representatives. Mr.
Gilani said that Pakistan
and Turkey
have suffered alike in their quest for democracy. Both the leaders agreed that
respect of democratic institutions, rule of law and will of the electorate was
essential for peace and stability in the country.
The former Prime Minister briefed
his host about the constitutional amendments adopted with consensus in Pakistan .
He expressed the hope that the important work on the Constitutional Commission
formed under the leadership of Mr. Cemil Çiçek (pronounced as Jamil Chichek) for
drafting a new constitution for Turkey
would complete its work successfully.
Mr. Gilani fondly recalled his
address to TGNA during his Turkey
visit in December 2010. He mentioned that Turkish Prime Minister is the only
foreign dignitary who had twice addressed the Parliament of Pakistan. He
underlined the need for regular parliamentary exchanges that will further strengthen
the exemplary friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Cemil Çiçek mentioned that
Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group was the single largest group in TGNA. Mr.
Gilani specifically noted the contributions of Mr. Burhan Kayaturk, President
of the Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group in TGNA who was also decorated with
Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his meritorious services.
On the invitation of the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Gilani
is leading a three member Pakistan Peoples Party delegation to the Justice
& Development Party’s (AK Party) Congress to be held in Ankara on 30 September. Pakistan delegation comprises
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Commerce & Senior Vice Chairman of PPP
and Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of
Pakistan.
Later on, Mr. Bakir Bozdağ, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister hosted
a luncheon in honour of Mr. Gilani and his delegation. Mr. Gilani said it was a
matter of pride for Pakistan
and members of his delegation to participate in the AK Party Congress. Recalling
Mr. Bozdağ’s visit to Pakistan
in connection with the second meeting of High Level Cooperation Council, Mr.
Gilani said that the MoUs signed during HLCC should be implemented effectively
for tangible results.
On the economic situation in Pakistan ,
Mr. Gilani said that Pakistan
has diversified its economic sector with focus on agriculture. Despite the global
recession and the problems of terrorism, floods and power shortages, Pakistan has
achieved self-sufficiency in food items. Pakistan is now able to export
wheat, rice and sugur, he added.
Mr. Bozdağ agreed with Mr. Gilani that there was greater
scope for improving commercial ties between the two countries. He assured full support of Turkey
for initiating projects according to the development needs of Pakistan .
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