Pakistan and Turkey are transforming brotherly relations into trade and economic ties

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that deep friendly and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey are speedily transforming into trade and economic ties.

He expressed these views while talking to a high level delegation of Health Ministry of Turkey, here today. Turk delegation included Director General Foreign and European Union Affairs Dr. Oner Guner, Dr. Hasan Baskaya and other senior officials.

A number of Turk companies are working jointly with Punjab government as a result of which the friendship between the two countries is strengthening, he added. He said that establishment of Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh is an excellent gift by Turk government for the people of South Punjab.

Tayyip Erdogan Hospital will start providing medical facilities to the people of the area free of cost from June 21, he added.

 Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that government and people of Turkey set a high example of sacrifice and brotherhood by helping Pakistani brethren in the hour of distress during the worst flood of 2010. He said that people and Turk government worked round the clock in Southern Punjab during this natural calamity and fully assisted the people marooned in the water. He said that Tayyip Erdogan Hospital is an excellent example of best friendly relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

He said that state-of-the-art machinery has been installed in the hospital and modern medical facilities have been made available in the hospital. He said that residential facilities will also be provided to the doctors and other staff beside the hospital.

The Chief Minister said that Tayyip Erdogan Hospital will be operated by considering it a trust and it will be made a model hospital throughout Pakistan. He said that other public sector hospitals will also be run on the pattern of this model. He said that Punjab government has taken solid steps for the provision of latest health facilities to the people and improvement of health sector.

He said that an effective strategy has been adopted for improving healthcare system while resources of billion of rupees are being spent for this purpose. He said that special attention has been paid to improving medical facilities in the existing hospitals besides setting up of new ones.

Talking on the occasion, Head of Turk delegation said that they will share their experiences with Punjab government and also cooperate for providing training to the doctors and other staff. He said that Turk government will also provide assistance for the up-gradation of district headquarters hospital Muzaffargarh.

Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned senior officers were also present on this occasion.