LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the dream of close cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan has been realised through inauguration of solid waste management and other development projects.
Talking to mediamen after a meeting with Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas at Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Sunday, he said there was a need for strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
He was of the view that, besides enhancing cooperation in trade, social and economic sectors, the sentiments of love and brotherhood will have to be promoted between the future generations.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh Ahmad Hassan, elected representatives and members of Turk delegation were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister said that projects like solid waste management, bus rapid transit system and IT University were the result of personal interest and efforts of Mayor Istanbul and this cooperation will be extended to other sectors in both the countries in the days to come. He said that Istanbul was among the cleanest cities of the world and the agreement between Turkey and Punjab in this regard was being formally inaugurated.
He said due to practical implementation of the agreement Lahore would also become a neat and clean city like Istanbul. He said that he was thankful to mayor of Istanbul for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit Lahore and attend inaugural ceremony of solid waste management and bus rapid transit system.
Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas said that relations between Turkey and Pakistan were unique and despite the distance between the two countries their people were close to each other. He said Pakistan was like second home to him and it was his desire that the same sentiments should be transferred to the future generations. He said Pakistan was the first country to join relief activities for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Shahbaz had sent relief items to Turkey.
He said he would continue to cooperate in the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister for the development of the province and to his priorities in different sectors. He said the 24-member delegation accompanying him comprised persons belonging to different sectors a proof of the fact that cooperation in different sectors would be promoted with Punjab. Earlier, during the meeting between Punjab Chief Minister and Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation were discussed.