Pak, Turkey enjoy close relations, First Lady

Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan has said Pakistan and Turkey have always stood by each other in the hour of trial.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday, she said both the countries enjoy close relations deep rooted in common faith, history and culture.

She said Turkey has always remained at the forefront in public and social welfare projects of Pakistan.

The Turkish First Lady noted that no society can make progress without empowering the women.

Earlier Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Pakistan is my second home. Pakistan is on the way to peace and stability.

While addressing the parliamentary session in Islamabad on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I am thankful to each of you individually for allowing me to address this joint session of Parliament,”

“I am thankful to all of you for the way in which the people of Pakistan have welcomed us. I have never felt like a stranger in Pakistan; it has always been like a home.

“Today, Pakistan and Turkey’s relations are admirable for others […]. During difficult times, Pakistan has supported Turkey.”

Quoting a poem by poet Allama Iqbal, Erdogan said: “Yes, like the poet of Lahore, people were drowning in these emotions, people of Pakistan had supported Turkey.

“We can never forget this.”

President Erdogan arrived in Pakistan on two-day official visit in order to strengthen bilateral ties.