Cementing trade ties with Turkiye stressed

LAHORE:Turkiye's Consul General Mr Durmus Bastug Wednesday said Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy exemplary relations since 1947 and both the countries have supported each other in every difficult time.

Addressing a seminar to celebrate ‘Turkiye’s 100 years of democracy and 75 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan’ organised by Punjab University’s Pakistan Study Centre in its seminar room, Mr Durmus Bastug said Pakistan and Turkiye are two separate states but the heart of their peoples is one.

He said Turkish President Tayyip Rajab Erdogan has always supported Pakistan’s position regarding Kashmir at every forum. He said we are playing a role in the promotion of Turkish language and culture in Pakistan. He said there is a need to increase ties between Pakistan and Turkiye. PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said the people of both the countries are well aware of the sensitivity of centuries-old relations.

In his keynote lecture, head of Urdu Department Turkish Radio and Television translator of President Tayyip Rajab Erdogan, Dr Furkan Hamit, said even before the creation of Pakistan, the Muslims of the subcontinent played their role in the Khilafat Movement. He said in the 2005 earthquake and 2010 flood, the government and the people of Turkiye gave full support to Pakistan, while Pakistan has always supported the Turkish government in defence matters. He said both countries have been raising their voices at every level against the oppression of Muslims, including Kashmir and Palestine.