CM Punjab is accorded extraordinary protocol by Turkish leadership

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was accorded extraordinary protocol by Turkish leadership and government during his one day visit to Turkey.

Turk Prime Minister hosted a dinner in honour of Chief Minister Punjab especially at Prime Minister House. According to diplomatic circles, such functions are usually held by Turk Prime Minister in honour of heads of the states. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh. Ahmed Hasaan and Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey were also present on the occasion.

Welcoming the Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Turk Prime Minister said that he is pleased to see Shahbaz Sharif once again. He acknowledged the role of Shahbaz Sharif for the promotion of Pak-Turk relations and friendship during recent years. Tayyip Erdogan said that Lahorites had extended great hospitality during his previous visit to Pakistan and pleasant memories of his welcome are the asset of his life.

Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that relations between Pakistan and Turkey have entered into a new phase during the tenure of the present government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

He was talking to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif during a meeting in Istanbul, today. He said Turkey wants that Pak-Turk friendship should serve as a strong basis for wide-ranging economic cooperation between the two countries. Welcoming the Chief Minister Punjab, the Turkish Prime Minister said that he was happy to meet the Chief Minister again and fully appreciates his role in the promotion of Pak-Turk fraternal relations. He said that Turkey wants to see Pakistan as a strong, prosperous and peaceful country.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that he has brought a special message of goodwill for the Turk leadership from Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that progress and prosperity of Turkey is the result of Turk leadership’s sagacity, tireless efforts, spirit of sacrifice and love for the people.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Turkey has become a role model for the countries from Casablanca to Kala Lumpur under the guidance of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he salutes the leadership of Turk Prime Minister. Chief Minister Punjab said the whole world knows that Turkey and Pakistan stand by each other in every situation and the hearts of the people of the two countries beat together. He said that when Pakistan faced the worst floods of its history, four years ago, not only Turk Prime Minister visited the affected areas but hundreds of Turk businessmen celebrated Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha with their calamity stricken Pakistani brethren.

Earlier, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met the representatives of coal mining companies and various investment institutions. These companies would make investment in coal mining as well as energy and infrastructure sectors. The Chief Minister further said that after metro bus project, cooperation of Turkey in energy sector is highly valued by Pakistan.