Pakistan parliamentary delegation Turkey visit - Meets with Speaker TGNA, chairmen of parliamentary committees

ANKARA, 15 November 2013: A 16-member parliamentary/opinion leader’s delegation from Pakistan led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Defence & Defence Production, currently on Turkey visit, met with the Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Mr. Cemil Çiçek (pronounced as Jamil Chichek) and Chairmen of various committees of the Turkish Parliament in Ankara.

The Speaker said Turkey and Pakistan enjoy exemplary relations which go beyond the governments and are rooted in our common history, culture and ethos of our people. He said our special relations should be sustained through more parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts. Mr. Cemil Çiçek mentioned that Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group is one of the largest groups in TGNA.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed termed Pakistan and Turkey as vibrant democracies. He said that the frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations between Pakistan and Turkey would provide an opportunity to learn from each other and work together for strengthening of democracies and democratic institutions. He specifically noted the contributions of Mr. Burhan Kayaturk, Chairman of the Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in TGNA who was also decorated with Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his meritorious services.

The Pakistani delegation also met with the Chairman of Plan & Budgetary Committee, and Deputy Chairman of National Defence Committee in the Turkish Parliament.

Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), a Pakistani think-tank, organized the visit with a purpose to understand the evolution and consolidation of democracy in Turkey.

The visiting delegation includes Syed Naveed Qamar (former federal minister for defence and currently member National Assembly), Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo (Senior Vice President of National Party), Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani (member National Assembly), Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari (former Minister and member National Assembly) Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik (member National Assembly), Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi (former Deputy Speaker National Assembly), Lt. General (retired) Humayun Bangash (former Ambassador), Mr. Shahid Malik (former Ambassador), Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider (former Governor Sindh and former Minister for Interior), Mr. Tasneem Noorani (former Secretary Interior), Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin (senior journalist/analyst), Mr. Cyril Almeida (senior journalist) and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob (President PILDAT).

More photos of the visit on http://goo.gl/IRVClK

Pakistan parliamentary delegation meets with the Turkish President

ANKARA, 13 November 2013: Turkish President H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul today received a high level parliamentary delegation from Pakistan led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence & Defence Production.

 The Turkish President appreciated the smooth transfer of power from one elected government to another elected government as a result of recent elections in Pakistan. He said this is an indication that democracy has strengthened and Pakistan is moving in the right direction. President Gul said both Pakistan and Turkey have similar problems and hoped that like Turkey, Pakistan will also overcome challenges it is facing today. Mr. Gul said recent initiatives undertaken by the leaderships of Turkey and Pakistan in the economic field are yielding positive results.

 Senator Mushahid Hussain conveyed the best wishes of the Parliament and the people of Pakistan. He said Turkey and Pakistan are joined together with deep and abiding bonds of friendship and brotherhood which have withstood the test of times. The Senator said coming to Turkey is like coming home, for him and for all the delegation. He appreciated the positive role of Turkey in the region, particularly Turkish contribution for hosting Afghanistan-Pakistan-Turkey trilateral summit meetings. He said Turkey has made remarkable progress in the last decade and commended the public welfare oriented policies of the Turkish government.

 “Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency” (PILDAT), a Pakistani think-tank, organized the visit with a purpose to undertand the evolution and consolidation of democracy in Turkey. The delegation’s engagements include meetings with Turkish leadership, Speaker and various Parliamentary committees of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, political parties and interaction with leading Turkish think-tanks.  

The visiting delegation includes Syed Naveed Qamar (former federal minister for defence and currently member National Assembly), Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo (Senior Vice President of National Party), Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani (member National Assembly), Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari (former Ministr and member National Assembly) Ms. Shaista Pervaiz Malik (member National Assembly), Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi (former Deputy Speaker National Assembly), Lt. General (retired) Humayun Bangash (former Ambassador to Turkey), Mr. Shahid Malik (former Ambassador), Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider (former Governor Sindh and former Federal Minister for Interior), Mr. Tasneem Noorani (former Secretary Interior), Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin (senior journalist/analyst), Mr. Cyril Almeida (senior journalist) and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob (President PILDAT).

More photos of the visit on http://goo.gl/IRVClK