Ex-PM says Pakistani democratization can follow in Turkish footsteps

Interview by GÖZDE NUR DONAT, ANKARA

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has lauded Turkey's efforts in judicial reform, in politically sidelining its military and towards writing a civilian constitution to replace its current military-dictated one, saying that Pakistan can also take these beneficial steps towards democratization.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman last week on the eve of the fourth congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which he attend as a foreign dignitary on the invitation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Gillani said that Turkey and Pakistan share very similar political experiences, having both suffered through military coups several times in their history.
“Turkey brought a lot of changes and reforms. We appreciate that. We can take ... good points from them,” said Gillani.
Pakistan introduced a process of constitutional reforms in mid-2010 to do away with most of the constitutional changes introduced during the authoritarian rule of Generals Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf, who led Pakistan for nearly 20 years of the past three decades.
Gillani noted the deep historical, cultural and religious ties between Pakistan and Turkey, expressing that the two “act as one nation.” He also mentioned the sacrifices made by Pakistani people during the Turkish War of Independence, a memory deeply rooted in the minds of Turks.
“At the same time, we are inclined to further strengthen our relationship, to further improve our trade with Turkey, and we should also enhance our relationship in many multifaceted areas like infrastructure, communication [and] energy,” said Gillani.
With regard to economic relations, the two countries have established the High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) forum, visiting each other yearly. Turkey and Pakistan are also increasing their level of military partnership and cooperation in their fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, with a special focus on common research and development in the defense industry.
The former prime minister also said that Pakistan lends its full support to Turkey's EU accession bid. “Turkey is a great friend and we are maintaining very good relations with [the] EU. Therefore, if it is a part of [the] EU, it [Turkey] will be more beneficial for us,” noted Gillani.
The EU is Pakistan's biggest export market and a major source of financial aid. Turkey is geographically an important gateway to the EU for Pakistan.
Gillani also said he appreciated Turkey's contributions to security in war-torn Afghanistan as well as Turkey's role in mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan, between which exists a deficit of trust. Both parties accuse each other of supporting Taliban insurgents, creating security concerns in both countries.
“Turkey brought Afghanistan and Pakistan ... together. It played an extremely important role through trilateral talks,” Gillani affirmed.
He also emphasized that Pakistan and the US must work more closely in the sharing of intelligence and that there should be greater cooperation between the two in order to ease their lack of trust in the fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan and [the] US are allies, [and have been for] more than 60 years. There could be ups and downs in our relationship, but we want to maintain excellent relations with [the] US, but on mutual respect and mutual interest. There can be some differences on the strategy; we have to sit and think about that so that there should be no trust deficit and we should trust each other,” Gillani maintained.

‘Our religion teaches us to refrain from violence'

While deploring a controversial anti-Islam film that has recently sparked anger in Egypt, Libya and dozens of other Muslim countries, Gillani warned the protesting Muslims not to fall into the trap of those “who want to destroy the image of Islam.”
“Our religion teaches us to refrain from violent actions. ... Therefore ... such provocations help those people who really want to destroy the image of Islam. We have to be very cautious and careful in responding to such issues,” Gillani remarked.
Thousands of Pakistanis were also infuriated by the film, leading to violent protests in which three people were killed and dozens injured.

Courtesy: Today's Zaman, 3 October 2012, http://www.todayszaman.com/news-294050-ex-pm-says-pakistani-democratization-can-follow-in-turkish-footsteps.html