Erdogan assures full support to Pakistan on FATF issue

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday addressed the joint sitting of the parliament and assured his full support to Islamabad on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issue, ARY News reported.

Addressing the parliament, Erdogan thanked Pakistan for giving him a warm welcome and allowing him to address the joint session of parliament once again.

“Pakistan is like my second home. Relations between Istanbul and Islamabad are admirable. Turkey will continue to support Pakistan on important matters as it supported in past,” said Erdogan.

Erdogan also quoted a poem by Allama Iqbal and said Pakistan always stabs shoulder to shoulder with Turkey in difficult times.

“People of Pakistan had always supported Turkey in their difficult times,” he added.

Turkey stands with Kashmiris 

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, the Turk president reiterated his support for Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir issue. He condemned the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and called for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir.

The Turkish president hailed Pakistan’s efforts in the war on terrorism and the Afghan peace process. He said that Turkey will continue its support for peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Arrival at Parliament House

Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani received the Turkish president upon arrival at the Parliament.

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI, Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani & Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser received Turkish President @RTErdogan upon arrival at Parliament House. #PakTurkFriendship pic.twitter.com/MfYdFKBfmX

— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) February 14, 2020

 National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser began the session by welcoming Erdogan.

Various government leaders including Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider also attended the joint session.

The joint sitting was summoned by President Dr Arif Alvi.

The Turkish president earlier had addressed the joint sitting of the Pakistani parliament in November 17, 2017.

After addressing the joint session of the parliament, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will offer Friday prayers at the Faisal Mosque and later will attend Pak-Turk Business Forum meeting.

The visiting dignitary is also scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan. The duration of the meeting is said to be one hour and fifteen minutes.

Both will address a joint press conference in today’s evening after signing different MoUs in diverse fields.

Erdogan will fly back to Turkey tonight after attending a dinner ceremony at the Prime Minister House in his honour.