A
17-member parliamentary delegation of Pakistan led by Mr. Muhammad Pervaiz
Malik, Federal Minister for Commerce & Textile Industry and Chairman of
Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group in National Assembly is visiting Turkey
from 26 October to 1 November 2017. Upon their
arrival in Ankara today, Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in
Turkish Parliament Mr. Muhammet Balta and Ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad
Syrus Sajjad Qazi received the delegation at the airport, says a press release
received from Ankara here today.
Speaker
of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Mr. Ismail Kahraman received the
Pakistan Parliamentary delegation at his office. Welcoming the delegation,
Speaker Ismail Kahraman referred to the brotherly Pakistan-Turkey relations
which are deep-rooted in history. He recalled the historic support and
solidarity extended on the night of 15 July by
the Pakistani Parliament and the people against the heinous coup attempt. The
Speaker said both countries support each other on major national issues
including Cyprus and Kashmir. He hoped that the visit by the parliamentary
delegation and their interaction with the Turkish parliamentarians and
leadership would further strengthen Pakistan-Turkey brotherly relations. He
also hoped for early conclusion of Pakistan-Turkey Free Trade Agreement. The
visiting delegation interacted with various Commissions of the Turkish
Parliament including meeting with Mr. Ziya Altunyaldiz, Chairman of Industry,
Commerce, Energy, Natural Resources, Information & Technology Commission;
Mr. Mehmet Habib Soluk, Chairman of Construction, Transportation & Tourism
Commission; and Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The
meeting was attended by majority of other members of the Friendship Group as
well. During these meetings, Minister Pervaiz Malik and other members of the
delegation reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal and unwavering solidarity with
Turkey. They underscored Pakistan’s firm resolve to stand by Turkey in face of
all challenges, including against the common threat posed by terrorism. They
noted with deep appreciation the vital role of the Parliamentarians of the two
countries, especially the members of the Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group, in
transforming these cordial ties into a strong partnership. They expressed keen
desire to continue transforming this deep-rooted relationship towards tapping
the bilateral economic and trade potential for the benefit and prosperity of
the peoples of the two regions. Minister Pervaiz Malik thanked the Speaker TGNA
and Turkish Parliamentarians for their unflinching support for the Kashmir
issue.
The
Pakistan parliamentary delegation has representation from major political
parties represented in the National Assembly and includes Ms. Parveen Masood
Bhatti, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz, Ms. Shahnaz Saleem Malik, Ms. Amra Khan, Choudhary
Iftikhar Nazir, Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Mrs. Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli, Ms.
Mussarat Ahmedzeb, Dr. Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, Mrs. Shahida Rehmani, Ms.
Musarat Rafique Mahesar, Mrs. Suriya Jatoi, Ms. Shagufta Jumani, Mrs. Naeema
Kishwer Khan, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal, and Mr. Iftikhar ud Din.
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