ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Pakistan on a two-day official visit along with his wife and team, left for Ankara later on Thursday after key official meetings and a historic address to the parliament for the third time.
Erdogan was in Pakistan on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart President Mamnoon Hussain.
‘We cannot ignore Kashmir issue’
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Erdogan urged Pakistan and India to come to a logical conclusion of the decades-old Kashmir dispute through dialogues instead of increasing problems for their peoples and Kashmiris.
“We want a peaceful and prompt resolution of Kashmir issue as per the will of its people and in line with the United Nations (UN) resolutions,” said the Turkish President.
He said, “Turkey is monitoring the rising tension along the line of control (LoC) separating Pakistan and India and the loss of precious lives,” saying “such mounting hostility could not be ignored”.
‘Feto threat for Pakistan’s security’
President Erdogan said once again that Fethullah Gulen – US-based self-exiled cleric – was leading a terrorist organisation in at least 120 countries worldwide.
He urged Pakistan to dismantle Fethullah Terror Organisation (Feto) networks on its soil, if any, before they start posing a threat to its security.
The president said Pakistan never failed to support Turkey, particularly when its assistance was badly needed.
“Even when Turkey was facing a failed military coup, the government of Pakistan reiterated every kind of support for us,” he added.
He pinned hoped that Pakistan would not support any group on its soil working against the interests of Turkey.
Address to parliament for third time
President Erdogan also addressed a joint session of the parliament for a third time during his visit on Thursday.
“It is an honour to speak you in this parliament once again. Last time in 2012, I was sitting in the same house with you”, said Turkish President.
“A bond of understanding and mutual respect between Pakistan and Turkey are of different nature since Pakistan on every occasion has helped us,” he said and added, “Turkey was always and will remain a partner of Pakistan come what may”.
Erdogan said other terror organisations such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) were working against Muslims and added, “Muslim nations in unison could defeat those evil forces from harming unarmed people and maligning Islam internationally.”
He said those terror outfits, clearly being funded by the west do not represent Islam or Muslims.
