Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday met Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and discussed national and regional matters.
During the meeting, Sharif congratulated Turk President on the victory in election and said that the success of the ruling party in election reflects unconditional confidence in the performance of the government and his leadership by the people of Turkey. He said that the support of Turk people and prayers of Pakistani people are included in this success. The chief minister said that he has come to Turkey with the felicitation message on behalf of Pakistani people. He said that the tremendous progress made by Turkey during last 13 years is worth emulating for other countries.
Sharif said that the people of Pakistan are grieved over the recent incidents of terrorism in Turkey. He said that a number of development projects are continuing in Pakistan with the cooperation of Turkey in various sectors. He said that metro bus and cleanliness arrangements in Punjab are a living proof of Pak-Turk cooperation. He expressed the hope that Turkey will continue similar cooperation to Pakistan in other sectors particularly energy. He said that Turkey has always supported Pakistan in hour of trial and people of Punjab cannot forget the spirit of sacrifice of Turk leadership, traders and the people during flood of 2010. The chief minister said that participation of 39 Turk companies in international investment conference held in Punjab is a welcome step. He said that Turk companies will be welcomed in the mega project of repair and reconstruction of 20,000 km long roads in villages of Punjab.
Speaking on the occasion, Turk President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey considers Pakistan its best friend and the Turkish government and the people want to see Pakistan progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said that heart of Turkey beats with heart of Pakistan. He said that our problems and joys are common. Erdogan said Pakistani people have equal rights over our resources and we are always ready to extend cooperation to Pakistan in every sector. The Turk President lauded the development strategy of Punjab under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and said that people of Punjab are lucky that they have a hard working and honest leader like Sharif.