ANKARA,
29 August 2016: Chief Minister Punjab
Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif met with the highest leadership in Turkey as he visited
Istanbul from 25-27 August for reaffirming Pakistan’s strong support and
solidarity in the aftermath of the coup attempt of July 15. He was accompanied by a high-level
delegation, including the Provincial Law Minister, Members of Parliament, and
senior officials.
Chief
Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Tarabya
Kosku on 27 August, where he conveyed the cordial greetings of the President,
Prime Minister, and people of Pakistan. He paid rich tributes to the dynamic
and visionary leadership of President Erdogan, which proved to be the decisive
factor in preserving the will of the people and safeguarding democracy. The Chief Minister praised the people of
Turkey for the courage, commitment and immense sacrifices with which they
defeated the coup attempt on the streets and squares of Turkey. 
The
Chief Minister and his delegation separately met with Prime Minister Binali
Yıldırım. While reaffirming solidarity after the coup attempt, and offering the
deepest sympathies and condolences of the leadership and people of Pakistan
over the loss of innocent lives in recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, the Chief
Minister underscored the desire to further deepen bilateral cooperation in
diverse fields. Measures to promote Pakistan-Turkey fraternal ties,
especially in the trade, commercial and
investment fields, were discussed. 
Speaker
of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, İsmail Kahraman, received the Pakistan
delegation at Dolmabahçe Palace and hosted a working luncheon in their honour.
During the meeting, Speaker Kahraman
reiterated Turkey’s gratitude for Pakistan’s strong support, including the
unanimous resolutions passed by the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan. He also expressed thanks for the
recent visit of Pakistan Parliamentary delegation, which came to reinforce the
same message.
During
their stay, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the delegation attended the
opening ceremony of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on 26 August. The Chief
Minister closely interacted with the Turkish leadership and foreign dignitaries
attending the ceremony. While characterizing the Bridge as an “engineering marvel,”
he congratulated the Turkish government and people over this highly impressive
achievement.
Earlier,
in order to further deepen bilateral collaboration in the health sector, the
Chief Minister had detailed delegation-to-delegation talks with Minister for
Health Recep Akdağ. They also witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between Turkey and the Punjab Government for closer
cooperation in the health sector.
Apart
from meeting with senior executives of leading Turkish companies including
Zorlu and Koç Holding, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the President of
Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) Mehmet Ergün Turan. They
discussed further follow-up on the MOI signed earlier with TOKI on technical
support for building low-cost housing units in Punjab. Mayor of Istanbul Dr.
Kadir Tobpaş hosted a dinner for the Chief Minister and his delegation.
The
Pakistan delegation included Senior Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah, Chairman of
Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group in National Assembly of Pakistan Muhammad
Pervaiz Malik, Member National Assembly Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Advisor to Chief
Minister Khawaja Ahmad Hassan and senior officials. Ambassador of Pakistan
Sohail Mahmood and Consul General Istanbul Dr. Yusuf Junaid also attended the
meetings.
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