Speaker Ayaz Sadiq meets Turkish leadership; Kashmir and bilateral relations discussed

ANKARA, 19 October 2016: The visiting Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, had close interaction with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Speaker was in Turkey to participate in the 36^th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC), held in Ankara on 17-18 October 2016. 

During his call on Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on 18 October, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq paid rich tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in defense of Turkey’s democracy on 15^th July. He recalled that the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan had passed unanimous resolutions, expressing complete support and solidarity with the Turkish leadership, Government and people in the face of the coup attempt. The Speaker underlined that the heroism of the Turkish people had set an example, which would inspire others across the world. He also expressed condolences over the loss of precious lives in recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to Turkey in the face of all challenges.

The Speaker also briefed the Turkish Prime Minister on the gross and systematic violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people and underscored the need for bringing to an end these untold atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces.  He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

The Speaker thanked Prime Minister Binali Yildirim for Turkey’s consistent support to the Kashmir cause and Turkey’s vital role as a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir. He also lauded Turkey’s strong support for sending an OIC Fact Finding Mission to IOK to document the systematic and arbitrary violations of human rights.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that Turkey highly valued Pakistan’s prompt and unequivocal support and solidarity against the 15^th July coup attempt, describing Pakistan as a true brother. He also reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Pakistan’s principled stance for a just solution of the Kashmir dispute.

The two sides also exchanged views on the deepening partnership between Pakistan and Turkey, with a strong emphasis on trade and economic cooperation. They agreed that the earliest conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would provide a major boost to the realization of the robust economic partnership envisioned by the leadership on both sides.

Separately, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq participated in the luncheon hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Speakers/Heads of Delegations attending the PUIC Executive Committee meeting.  During the luncheon, among other things, developments in the Islamic world, situation in the Middle East, need for greater unity among Muslim countries, and fight against terrorism came under discussion. The Speaker shared Pakistan’s perspective on related issues including Kashmir.

Earlier, during his address to the High Level Segment of the Executive Committee of PUIC, the Speaker had forcefully presented the Kashmir case and called for urgent measures to stop the ongoing human rights violations in IOK and for the international community’s action in promoting a negotiated solution of Kashmir in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.