Fehmida for enhanced Pak, Turkish economic cooperation
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, has called for enhanced economic cooperation and greater exchange of Parliamentarians between Pakistan and Turkey.Dr. Fahmida stated this when Ambassador of Republic of Turkey Rauf Engin Soysal called on her in the Parliament House, Friday.Talking to the Ambassador the Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Pakistan highly valued its relations with Turkey as both the countries have unanimity of views on all regional and global issues.
The Speaker said that relations between the two fraternal countries were based on the strong bond of religion and needed to be strengthened by enhancing economic cooperation.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza underlined the need for greater exchange of Parliamentarians between the two countries. She also stressed the need for enhanced exchange of youth programmes, businessmen, intellectuals and students delegations for increasing people to people contact. She also underlined the need for unity of the Ummah.
The Ambassador of Turkey Rauf Engin Soysal conveyed the good wishes and congratulations from the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament to the Madam Speaker.
The Ambassador while congratulating the Madam Speaker on her election to the portfolio of the Speaker national Assembly said that it was unprecedented in the Muslim world that a woman had been elected as Speaker of the National Assembly. This election will create soft image of Pakistan and the Muslim countries across the world, he said.
The Ambassador apprised the Madam Speaker that the Turkish Parliament had passed a declaration signed by all members of the Parliament offering condolences over the assassination of late Benazir Bhutto “as a gesture of our feelings for Pakistani Nation”.
He said that it was a loss for the whole Muslim Ummah and the entire world. he said Turkish nation was having extreme regards for Pakistan and its people.
The Ambassador appreciated and thanked for Pakistan’s support to Turkey on international forums. Madam speaker also extended invitation to her Turkish counterpart to visit Pakistan.