Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan carries great importance, since this would aim to further cement the extraordinary brotherly relations between the two nations. His visit was meant to seal several agreements on trade and energy, but what was most heartening was to see his sincerity evident in an address to the parliament to both the government and the opposition that their infighting would hurt the country and democracy.

On Tuesday, during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Gilani, he again stressed the need for ending the current friction between the government and the opposition. Belonging to a country that has had its share of Bonapartist Generals, his advice to the leadership to act with restraint sounds all the more appropriate. These well wishes and concerns over Pakistan’s political turmoil that comes out direct from his heart deserve unqualified appreciation. He categorically stated that Turkey understood Pakistan’s decision to suspend the Nato supply route. Most importantly, he showed firm support to the government’s stand that the US tender an apology for the murder of 24 soldiers at the Salala check post. Since Turkey is an active member of Nato, these words may encourage Nato to finally extend the long overdue apology. It speaks a lot about Mr Erdogan’s character, especially since our own leaders have been unable to straightforwardly ask for an apology. His assurance that Turkey will fulfil its commitment to the earthquake and flood victims by completing houses and schools for them is welcome.
At the same time, Turkey and Pakistan’s exemplary relationship offers a hope for the unity of the Muslim world currently divided against itself, thanks to the warmongering and invasions in the recent decade but also its own foibles.  The best antidote, of course, is to rationalise the sole influence of the sole world superpower in the region as well as the Muslim world, which can be achieved with Ankara’s diplomatic and political sagacity. Turkey only needs to take a step and other Muslim countries would rush to join forces, something that is needed to cure Afghanistan of its ills but also would lead to lasting settlement of conflicts like Kashmir and Palestine.