The full text of Mr Sharif’s speech is below:
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am delighted to be here and deeply appreciative of the Institute’s gracious invitation for an exchange of views with such a distinguished group. In fact, I am humbled to be in the midst of so many intellectuals and scholars, who have done so much to enrich the spirit of learning in this country.
2. But before I begin my formal presentation, please permit me to express my shock and grief at the huge losses suffered by Turkey during the recent earthquake. Our hearts go out to the victims, and I wish them to know that they have our support, solidarity and prayers, in their hour of pain and suffering.
3. Turkey is not new to me. I have had the privilege of visiting your great country on a number of occasions. In fact, without sounding too presumptuous, I may add that as Prime Minister of Pakistan twice, I have also been able to make a modest contribution to the enhancement of Pakistan’s relations with Turkey, which is a matter of great joy and satisfaction to me.
4. This however is a different kind of visit. I have no official agenda. I am here as a friend and well-wisher of Turkey and my primary purpose is to observe and admire Turkey’s glorious past, learn from its dynamic present and visualize its unlimited future. More importantly, I have come to pay my regard and respect to your great leaders, who have not only set the country on a path of economic growth and development, but have brought about a remarkable transformation in the thought process of its people, who are no longer satisfied with being merely rich and prosperous, but envision for their country a role and a mission in the region and far beyond. Consequently, Turkey is not only the envy of many of its neighbors, but has also become a beacon of hope and inspiration to many countries, particularly in the Islamic world.
5. As you are aware, I come from the City of Lahore. This is where the dream of Pakistan was formalized in the Resolution passed in 1940, which we celebrate every year as the Pakistan Day. This vibrant city is the nerve center of Pakistan and also home to some of the greatest monuments built by Muslim rulers in South Asia, including those built by the Mughal Emperors, who were originally from Uzbekistan, but of Turkish origin. In fact, the art and architecture of Lahore, bears a striking resemblance to the art and architecture at Topkapi.
6. Pakistan’s relations with Turkey go back to over millennium. The influence of Turkey and of Turkish people on our cultural values and practices has been profound. Pakistan’s great Poet---Philosopher Dr. Mohammad Iqbal was a great devotee of Maulana Rumi, viewing him as Pir-i-Rumi, the great guide of Turkey. And ever since Pakistan’s emergence on the world scene on 14th August 1947, our friendship has continued to blossom, maturing to its current bond of trust and confidence. As early as 1954, the two countries decided to sign a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, recognizing the similarity of their views on regional and international issues.
7. We are particularly grateful for Turkey’s assistance and support to Pakistan at all times and in all weathers, good and bad, whether in peace or war, earthquake or floods. Nor can we forget Turkey’s unstinting support for the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for their self-determination. We too, will continue to support the just and legitimate cause of our Turkish Cypriot brothers.
8. Our two countries are blessed with strategic locations. While Pakistan lies at the heart of South, Central and West Asia, Turkey enjoys the unique distinction of being the geographical and ideological bridge between Asia and Europe; literally the two continents meet on Turkish soil. It is however, time for our two countries to take concerted and concrete steps to translate their long history of cordial relations, beyond the confines of close political coordination into meaningful economic ties, that not only add substance to our relations, but also become a factor of regional peace and stability. Though we are both fairly large countries, our bilateral trade is a mere US$1 billion. Certainly, the potential exists for far greater trade and investment between us. What is required is to identify the areas of cooperation and at the same time, to remove the impediments that prevent us from engaging in meaningful cooperation.
9. As you may be aware, my political party, the PML (N) is in power in the Province of Punjab, which is Pakistan’s most populous province, with over 55% of the country’s population living in it. I want to take advantage of this forum to declare that the Government and people of Punjab are ready and willing to consider all serious proposals for greater economic and commercial cooperation between Turkey and Punjab. A warm welcome awaits your trading and investment delegations that wish to invest in any field of their choice.
10. In this context, it would also be helpful to refer briefly to my Party’s track record on economic innovations and far-reaching reforms, even though they are well-known in Pakistan. In its very first term in 1991, we introduced unprecedented reforms in the country’s economy, including such far-reaching initiatives as economic liberalization, deregulation, privatization, full autonomy to the State Bank and lifting of restrictions on currency transfer. We also undertook major initiatives to improve the power and communication sectors, building roads and highways, including the Motorway between Lahore and Islamabad and on to Peshawar, near the Afghan border, as well as construction of modern airports in Karachi and Lahore. Sadly, the implementation of some these reforms by successor governments, did not enjoy the required degree of resolve.
11. Nevertheless, the friendly environment, the developed infrastructure and the huge markets of Punjab, offer many attractive opportunities for investment in power, energy, textile, infrastructure development, agro-based industry, mining and other areas. I am confident that the complementarities and strength of Pakistan and Turkey’s economies should enable us to generate a much higher volume of bilateral trade than at present. But in order to achieve this, we have to demonstrate imagination, initiative and firm resolve, by opting for preferential trade arrangement and improving market access to each other’s products.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
12. The Cold War has ended, bringing to a close the era of super-power confrontation, but the much-anticipated peace dividend is nowhere to be seen. In fact, we are living in a time of growing uncertainty and turbulence. Globalization claims to have transformed the world into a global village, but this has not made the world any more just and equitable, nor has it brought an end to great power ambitions and rivalries. In such a situation, it is essential for the developing countries to intensify their political cooperation and economic interaction, to overcome the new challenges posed by the changing paradigms.
13. A few words on the scourge of terrorism and violence that has had a disastrous impact on Pakistan, its economy and infrastructure and, even the lives of its people. This is a problem that has a long history with which I shall not tax you, but it is important here to point out that the majority of our people are moderate Muslims. There has never been any evidence of militancy or extremism in Pakistan. In this context, it would also be worthwhile to recall the stirring words of the Father of the Nation, Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who declared in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan: “You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques, or to any other place of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed. That has nothing to do with the business of the State.” It is therefore but natural that we should be opposed to terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations. There can be no excuse or justification for acts of violence, whether by the state or by non-state actors. Both are equally condemnable, which is why while opposing terrorism, we advocate a comprehensive approach that not only looks at the problems but seeks to understand the underlying causes for the malaise. A world where is there is no justice for the oppressed, where there is no tolerance for dissent and no rights for the poor and wretched, cannot be a peaceful society. May I stress that brutal use of force to combat terrorism will not solve the problem; unless we also address simultaneously the root causes of terrorism, particularly economic deprivation, inequality, injustice, foreign occupation and denial of fundamental rights. Moreover, the international community must also maintain clear distinction between terrorism and the struggle for national liberation, whether it be in Kashmir or Palestine.
14. A few words about our immediate neighbors—Afghanistan and India. We want Afghanistan to once again become a peaceful and prosperous state. We have no interest in that country, other than to see it emerge as a genuinely sovereign and independent state that is at peace with itself and with its neighbors. We also recognize that there can be no peace or economic prosperity in Pakistan, unless there is peace and tranquility in Afghanistan.
15. As regards India, it is high time that the two countries learnt to live as peaceful neighbors. I am firmly of the view that there can be no significant economic growth and development in South Asia, unless Pakistan and India are able to resolve their problems, by means of peaceful negotiations. Some of you may be aware that soon after my Party was returned to power in 1997, I had taken the initiative to invite the Prime Minister of India to pay an official visit to Pakistan. The invitation was accepted by Prime Minister Vajpayee and our talks led to the Lahore Declaration, which contained a road map for the resolution of our differences by peaceful means. Regrettably, this promising initiative was sabotaged and since then we have remained prisoners to mutual doubts and misgivings. I however remain convinced that it is in the interest of both countries, as well as in the interest of peace and security in the region, that India and Pakistan are able to resolve all their differences, including the issue of Kashmir.
16. I would be failing in my duty if I was not to point out that your Prime Minister is not only a much admired person in Pakistan but in the Middle East as well, where he is viewed as a strong, principled and courageous leader, as proven by his powerful espousal of the Palestinian cause and his vocal support for democracy and human rights in the region. Turkey’s policies have placed it in a pivotal position in both the Middle East and Europe, especially as the other centers of power are either in an economic crisis or face domestic turmoil.
Ladies and Gentlemen
17. Given our historic close, cordial and friendly ties and our common endeavor to build our countries as modern, moderate and progressive members of the international community, it is incumbent on us to invest greater time, effort and resources, as well as the political will, to build a truly strategic relationship, that is not only of mutual advantage to us, but can also contribute to the promotion of democracy and the maintenance of peace and stability in a critical area of the globe. This, dear friends, is my message to my Turkish brothers and sisters.
18. In conclusion, please permit me to express my profound thanks and deep appreciation to my hosts for having made most admirable arrangements for today’s function and to all of you, for the patience with which you have heard me out. Long live Turkey. Long live Pak-Turkey friendship.
Courtesy: USAK
External Link http://www.usak.org.tr/usak_det.php?id=4&cat=22#.UnoDanCrg68
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