November 17 , 2016
News
Pakistan, Turkey tread forward improving bilateral ties
Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to further augment their bilateral relations in diverse fields.The understanding came at delegation level talks held between the two countries in Islamabad on Thursday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif led Pakistani delegation while the Turkish delegation was led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation in different areas and decided to further strengthen them in the days to come.
They also discussed regional and international issues and matters of mutual interests.
Earlier, PM Nawaz and Turkish president also held one-to-one meeting.
On arrival at the PM House, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warmly received the visiting dignitary.
A formal welcome ceremony in honour of the Turkish President was held. Anthems of both the countries were played and a smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces also presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.
Later, the Prime Minister introduced the cabinet members to the Turkish President. The Prime Minister also met the Turkish delegation.
"It is now certain that behind the [July 15] coup attempt we have the Gulenist terrorist organisation and its leader residing in Pennsylvania," Erdogan alleged.
"It is necessary to dismantle this evil network... The terrorist organisation is a threat to the security and public order of Pakistan," he claimed.
The Turkish president claimed Feto "has been hiding behind the facade of acceptable concepts and terms such as delivering service, education and dialogue... But we saw on July 15 that they would not refrain from aany methods, including bloodshed to gain their purposes."
"They have undertaken infiltration operations aimed against the Turkish armed forces, the Turkish police force, the juidiciary and different levels of ministries by using and hiding behind these innocent concepts."
"An on that night [of the coup], these people [Feto] carried out... all the heinous acts that you can imagine by utilising taxpayers' money," he claimed.
"They bombarded the national assembly of Turkey, the presidential complex, the headquarters of special forces. They bombed civilians. On that night, we had 248 martyrs and 2,193 veterans," he claimed. "But our nation took ownership of its independence... and democracy."
"The recent development in solidarity and support has been the decision to ask Pak-Turk staff to leave by Nov 20," Erdogan said. "This organisation will find no shelter in Pakistan."
"The students in the Pak-Turk schools will be taken care of the to the highest standards thanks to joint cooperation" between Pakistan and Turkey, Erdogan claimed.
"I am thankful for the solidarity demonstrated by the Pakistani administration on this matter... And for their decisive stance against this organisation," Erdogan said today.
"Some columnists in Pakistani newspapers were underlining or making innocent statements or remarks but they are not welcomed by us," the Turkish president said, in an apparent reference to recent coverage of the expulsion of Pak-Turk schools' Turkish staff from Pakistan.
PM Nawaz and Turkish President Erdogan addressed a joint press conference following a one-on-one meeting and delegation-level talks in the capital.
Erdogan said both leaders had "touched upon recent developments" regarding the Kashmir issue.
The increasing number of problems and tension along the Line of Control (LoC) are having a signifcant impact on our brothers and sisters in Kashmir, and have come to a point where we can no longer ignore them, he said.
"We are keeping a close eye on tension along the LoC and the loss of life," he said. "The issue of Kashmir needs a resolution based on dialogue between Pakistan and India, in line with UN resolutions and bearing in mind the demands of our brothers and sisters in Kashmir," he said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also addressed the joint press conference after the one-on-one meeting with Erdogan and expressed confidence that "Turkey will continue to march forward on the path of peace, progress and prosperity under President Erdogan's charismatic leadership."
Nawaz appreciated Turkey's bid for Pakistan to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, adding that it had "strengthened Pakistan's position."
"We believe that our close relationship serves as a stability factor in the region," the premier said.
Nawaz said "2017 marks the 70th year of Pak-Turkey diplomatic relations" and will be celebrated in a "befitting manner."
He said that during talks with the Turkish premier they agreed to "transform our special relation into a strong strategic part."
The PM said that "increased trade must be the nucleus of the robust economic relation we envision."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a record third address to a joint session of parliament on Thursday lauded Pakistan's commitment to upholding democracy.
"Pakistan's democracy is a model attempt for the rest of the world, it is commendable," he said.
We are brotherly nations, not just in words, but also in actions, he said.
"We are together in times of happiness and in sadness... We dont have to look far to find examples of our friendship."
Pakistan's help was vital to Turkey's fight for freedom, he said, adding that at the time of the coup, Pakistan was the first country by Turkey's side. "I extend my thanks to Pakistani government for this."
After the Dec 2014 Army Public School attack, we also observed mourning, he said.
I would like to reiterate that Feto is a bloodthirsty terrorist organisation and a threat to the region, he claimed. Feto has a network in 120 and Gulen is trying to establish rule from Pennsylvania, he alleged.
Feto will not be allowed to harm Pakistan, he said. I thank Pakistan for its solidarity in the fight against this terrorist organisation, he said.
"Terrorist factions are hurting both Islam and Muslim countries. We are fighting against them in Syria and Iraq. No one else can hurt Islam the way they are hurting Islam. And everyone knows the West is helping them," he alleged.
"Pakistan is fighting agaisnt these organisations too. If united, Muslims can stand strong against them."
"Pakistan's struggle against terrorism is ongoing. But we are not yet rid of it. Our struggle is ongoing."
"Terrorist organisations are methodically destroying the relationships between Muslim countries," he claimed.
"We are here to bring good to the world and rid it of evil."
"We need to move forward towards our future in the Islamic way... We need to fight against anyone who is a threat to our future."
"We need to fight against all threats together. Our fight is not restricted to just terrorism... Our struggle will continue until the blood of Muslims is no longer shed."
"Our two countries have made bilateral ties stronger in every field in the past few years," he said.
"Yesterday evening, the president and today the PM met me and we discussed Pak-Turkey ties. I hope very soon we will take our relationship forward through the strategic council."
"Our relationship should move forward in political, military and economic terms. Trade should also be expanded. We have come a long way in these past years but this amount of progress is not enough."
"Scholarships from Turkey are helping Pakistani students complete their Masters, PhD and undergraduate study."
"500 Pakistani students will be able to go to Turkey for PhD scholarships every year in light of a document signed between Pakistan's Higher Education Commission and the Turkish higher education body," he said.
"The Kashmir issue holds a special place in our hearts. We are familiar with the perils the Kashmiris face."
Turkey will bring up the matter of Kashmir in the OIC, he said, adding that it would collaborate with Pakistan on Kashmir.
Erdogan is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, during which he has held one-on-one meetings with President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf 'leadership' boycotted today's session of parliament on the grounds that it would take place under a 'controversial' prime minister who is facing charges of corruption.
“We welcome the Turkish president to Pakistan but at the same time, we do not want to endorse a prime minister who has broken the country's law and has engaged in corruption," PTI Chairman Imran Khan said earlier.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk