Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Turkey revived the memories of Ansar-e-Madina by its generous help to Pakistani people affected by floods and earthquake. He said Pakistanis and Turks were two bodies with one soul and there was a strong bond of love and brotherhood between the people of the two countries. He was addressing a dinner hosted in honour of Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbash and governor on Wednesday. Senior officials of Turkey and Punjab as well as their families were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM termed himself as a Pakistani-Turk and Mayor Istanbul as a Turk-Pakistani and said the way Turk government, people and welfare organisations helped Pakistanis in the hour of trial can never be forgotten. He said the hearts of the people of Turkey and Pakistan beat together and they have deep affiliation with each other. Topbash said the holding of the dinner by CM showed that he was a Turk and a Pakistani simultaneously. He said the people of Pakistan and Turkey were one nation and cannot be separated. He said Turkey will ensure proper status of Pakistan in the international community and will take an active part in development activities in Pakistan.
CM MEETS TURKISH PRESIDENT: The CM, accompanied by his delegation, also called on the Turkish President Abdullah Gull in Ankara and apprised him of the development on various projects between Punjab and Turkey including the solid waste management and BRT Transport System.
Speaking on that occasion, the Turkish president expressed his confidence in the improving relations between the two countries.
The CM informed the Turkish president that the construction of the Southern phase of the Lahore Ring Road would soon be negotiated with the AXIM Bank of Turkey for its financing. The CM thanked the president for his support. The CM also apprised the president on the development on the establishment of Pak-Turk Schools in Punjab. The Turkish president promised to visit Lahore soon.
