Islamabad: January 21, 2015; According to a message received from Istanbul Turkey, Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan received Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq here today. Sardar Ayaz  Sadiq is visiting Turkey to lead a parliamentary delegation from Pakistan to the 10th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states (PUIC) being held in Istanbul.

President ErdoÄŸan said Turkey and Pakistan enjoy exemplary relations which are not affected by the change of governments and are deep rooted in our comm. on history, culture and ethos of our people. He said our special relations should be sustained through more parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts. He reassured every possible Turkish support to Pakistan for making the country further stronger. He expressed the hope that Pakistan will soon overcome the challenges it is facing today. Mr. ErdoÄŸan said initiatives undertaken by the leaderships of Turkey and Pakistan in the economic field are yielding positive results and shall further boost bilateral commercial ties.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq conveyed the best wishes of the Parliament and the people of Pakistan. He said Turkey and Pakistan are joined together with abiding bonds of friendship and brotherhood which have withstood the test of times. He praised the remarkable progress made by Turkey in the last twelve years and commended the public welfare oriented policies of the Turkish government. He agreed with the Turkish President that frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations between Pakistan and Turkey would provide an opportunity to learn from each other and work together for strengthening of democracies and democratic institutions.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also briefed the Turkish President about the proceedings of the10th session of the PUIC, where Pakistan presented a draft resolution, condemning publication of blasphemous caricatures. The resolution was adopted unanimously and shall be reflected in the final communiqué.

It states that the publication of such offensive material is also against the internationally recognised norms of freedom of expression including the provisions of article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations. The resolution suggested persuading the international community, the United Nations, the OIC and the EU to work in unison for creating conformity and understanding among civilizations by taking steps to stop repeat of such condemnable practices in future.

Earlier, the Speaker was received at the Ankara Airport by Mr. Burhan Kayatürk, Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Deputy Governor Ankara and Mrs. Aisha Farooqui, Chargé d'Affaires of Pakistan Embassy.