ANKARA – Pakistan PM Imran Khan addressed a joint press conference withTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital on Friday.
The prime minister said that the two countries enjoyed brotherly relationsspanning generations and he hoped that the ties would only strengthen overtime.
He also hoped that Turkish firms would invest in Pakistan and assist thePakistani government in its various ventures to uplift the people and theeconomy, saying that the Pakistani government wanted to take advantage fromthe experience of the Turkish companies.
“Our government will build five million houses in its tenure. We inviteTurkish companies to take part in this venture for its up-to-the-markexecution and timely completion”, he said.
Reflecting on the improved internal security situation, the prime ministerlauded the efforts of the Pakistani law enforcement agencies. “Pakistaniagencies have laid down remarkable sacrifices in the fight againstterrorism”, he said. “Be it the war on terror or the efforts to ensureregional peace, 2019 will be the year of Pakistan and Turkey”, he added.
Prime Minister Khan said that Pakistan wanted a dialogue with India becauseonly talks could guarantee peace in the region.
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He, however, expressed his disappointment over India’s rejection ofPakistan’s peace overtures. “Kashmir is an important issue between Indiaand Pakistan, and I have discussed the violation of human rights inIndia-occupied Kashmir.”
Talking about the unrest in Afghanistan and Syria, the prime minister saidthat Pakistan was playing an active role in facilitating talks [between theAfghan Taliban and the United States] to achieve a lasting peace.
“Pakistan wishes that all stakeholders play their role for stability inAfghanistan”, he said.
“Solutions to achieve a peaceful resolution to Syrian conflict were alsodiscussed with the Turkish president”, he added.
