An agreement between Punjab government and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality was signed at a local hotel today. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement on behalf of Punjab government whereas Mayor Istanbul Dr. Kadir Topbas on behalf of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Under the agreement, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will cooperate with Punjab government for enhancing technical expertise in local bodies, building control, urban & regional planning, provision and drainage of water, solid waste management and skill development. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will also extend technical cooperation for development of urban sectors, capacity building of solid waste management and improving performance of WASA. Two MoUs were also signed between Punjab Investment Board and Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Punjab Investment Board and Fuat Celik Construction Co. Turkey. Under the agreements made between Punjab Investment Board, Turkish Fuat Celik Construction Co. and Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, steps will be taken for the promotion of investment. Turk company will also invest in rehabilitation of sewerage system. Under the agreement made between Punjab Investment Board and Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, functions will be arranged with regard to investment activities and trade fairs and work will be carried out jointly for enhancing investment opportunities.
Addressing on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that everlasting relation of friendship and brotherhood exists between Pakistan and Turkey. He said that both the countries have helped each other in every hour of trial. He said that both the countries have stood by each other during flood, earthquake or any other natural calamity. He said that the hearts of people of Pakistan and Turkey beat together and the relations between governments and people of both the countries are expanding with the passage of time. The Chief Minister said that the agreement made between Punjab government and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is a welcome step and its implementation will result in improving the process of provision of civil amenities to the people of the province. The Chief Minister said that our brother Kadir Topbas is visiting Pakistan and people of Pakistan welcome him wholeheartedly. He said that the friendship of Pakistan and Turkey is tied with brotherhood and solidarity. He said that this historic friendship is also taught in educational institutions of Turkey as Muslims of the subcontinent took active part in the freedom war of Turkey and Turk people also mention it with great love. He said the relations between people of both the countries are so strong that mutual trade, investment and exchange of delegations have no importance.
Shehbaz Sharif said that Turk government and people also helped generously all their Pakistani sisters and brothers in trial during the worst flood of 2010 and donated billions of rupees. He said that thousands of Turk leaders also came to Pakistan on Eids and celebrated Eid with their brothers in tents. This scene was never seen earlier, he added. He said that later, Turk companies constructed hospitals, houses and schools in flood affected areas. A Similar hospital was set up in Muzafargarh. The Chief Minister said that a Recep Tayyip Hospital in Muzafargarh is also considered best hospital in Pakistan where quality treatment facilities are being provided. Moreover, the then Prime Minister and the present Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to Pakistan with his daughter and visited flood affected areas. He said this was practical display of brotherhood, love and sincerity which further strengthen friendship between two countries. That is why, today the entire Pakistan is happy on the arrival of Kadir Topbas, he added. Shehbaz Sharif said that Kadir Topbas is not our guest but member of our home. He said that economic ties are strengthening between Pakistan and Turkey, investment is increasing and role of Kadir Topbas is of paramount importance in this regard. The Chief Minister said that he met Kadir Topbas at Istanbul in 2010 and he said that he is greatly impressed by talks of Shehbaz Sharif but success is achieved through practical work and, certainly, Kadir Topbas is a practical man in the real sense. Shehbaz Sharif said that he will be thankful to Kadir Topbas forever who helped us in provision of best facilities to the people of Punjab. He said that Kadir Topbas has extended full assistance in transport, sanitation, potable water and other sectors. He said that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Dawood Oglo also supported Pakistan especially Punjab. He said that at present, Turkey is a shining star of Islamic world and it has achieved the destination of progress and prosperity by adopting golden principles of hard work, uniqueness, research, development and honesty. He expressed the hope that we will also work hard and achieved the lost status of Pakistan as this is the struggle of progress and prosperity of the people. He said we will bring a revolution of progress and prosperity by replicating Turkey as a role model.
Mayor Istanbul Dr. Kadir Topbas said that time has changed, distances reduced and we have to provide safe and peaceful environment to the people by utilizing modern technology according to the demands of present age. He said that his friend and brother Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a determined politician and working very hard for making Punjab a developed province. He said that he is also on forefront in introducing modern technology in Punjab. Kadir Topbas said that we will continue cooperation to Punjab government in future as well. He thanked Shehbaz Sharif, his team and people of Punjab on the hospitality of his delegation and extended invitation to Chief Minister Punjab to visit Istanbul. No doubt, Shehbaz Sharif has changed Punjab particularly Lahore with regard to development. Turkish Ambassador in Pakistan Babur Sadiq Gurgin addressing on the occasion said that the presence of Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas in Lahore is a happy moment. He said that as Pakistan and Turkey are two brotherly Islamic countries, similarly, Istanbul and Lahore are sister cities and we are proud of mutual collaboration between both the cities. He said that economic cooperation is enhancing between both the countries due to visionary leadership of Pakistan and Turkey. Governor Gilgit Baltistan Ghanfar Ali Khan, Turkish Ambassador in Pakistan Babur Sadiq Gurgin, Provincial Ministers, Advisors, Assembly Members, Kh. Ahmed Hasaan, Chief Secretary, investors and senior officials of Turk investment companies were also present on the occasion.