LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif yesterday met Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at President House Istanbul, and paid huge tribute to his leadership in foiling the military coup attempt last month.

During the meeting the chief minister appreciated the courage and steadfastness with which the Turkish president faced the situation. “Turkish people and democracy won under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his own behalf and on behalf of Pakistani people over the thwarting of the coup attempt. He said failure of the conspiracy against democracy in Turkey is a proof of the fact “Turkish people deeply love their great leader and the democratic system”.

Erdogan said that coup was an evil attempt to derail the process of progress and prosperity; however, it was foiled with the grace of Almighty and power of the people. He thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, CM Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani people for supporting Turk leadership at this difficult time.

Thanking Shehbaz for his love, sincerity and display of solidarity, Erdogan appreciated the role played by the chief minister for the promotion of Pakistan-Turkey relations.

PM Yildrim accepts invitation

to visit Pakistan

Separately, the chief minister called on Turkey Prime Minister Bin Ali Yildirim and shared views on bilateral relations and promotion of cooperation in different sectors. The meeting of the two leaders was held at the Prime Minister House in Istanbul.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said that the enemy of Turkey is the enemy of Pakistan. He said that he was deeply grieved over the recent incidents of terrorism in Turkey and the sympathies of Pakistani people are with the bereaved families.

He further said that terrorism has become an international issue and there is a need to make collective efforts for elimination of this menace. He extended an invitation to the Turkish premier on behalf of PM Nawaz to visit Pakistan.

PM Yildrim, while accepting the invitation, said that he will soon visit Pakistan to meet his very dear Pakistani brothers and sisters. He appreciated the solidarity expressed by Pakistan to Turk leadership during the coup attempt in Turkey.

He also apprised Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in detail about the incidents that took place during the coup attempt. He said that the way Pakistan expressed solidarity with the Turkish leadership and people during coup attempt is a shining example of historic friendship between the two countries.

“Pakistan and Turkey have common enemies,” the Turkish PM said.

During the meeting, the Turkish premier rang up Health Minister Recip Akdogan and directed him to extend all possible help for improving healthcare system in Punjab.

‘Golden opportunity

for Turkish investors’

“It is a golden opportunity for Turkish investors to benefit from investment opportunities in Pakistan especially Punjab,” CM Shehbaz said during a meeting with a delegation of Housing Development Administration Turkey (TOKI), a world-renowned Turk institution in housing sector in Istanbul.

The delegation expressed interest in investment in housing sector especially construction of low-cost houses in Punjab.

It was agreed in the meeting that experts of TOKI will visit Punjab in October and finalise the project of construction of quality low-cost houses for low-income families in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz said that quality houses will be built for low-income families in Punjab with the cooperation of Turkey.

During the visit of Turk experts in housing sector to Punjab, the CM said, construction of low-cost quality houses in Wahdat Colony as a pilot project will also be considered.

Shehbaz Sharif proposed setting up of a joint committee of Punjab government and TOKI through which Punjab government will benefit from the skill and experience of TOKI and the capacity of the institution concerned will be enhanced.

Meanwhile, the CM held a meeting with the heads of investment companies and business houses in Istanbul. Turkish investors and businessmen expressed keen interest in investment in various sectors in Pakistan especially Punjab.

Inviting them to invest in Pakistan, Shehbaz said that the investment by Turkish will be welcomed. “Punjab government is extending special incentives and facilities to foreign investors,” he said.

“Pakistan today is more safe and peaceful than before. Its economy has substantially improved due to effective measures taken by the government. Energy crisis will be overcome to a large extent by 2017,” he told the Turkish.