Turkish President Erdogan vows to keep on offering 'unflinching support' for Pakistan on Kashmir, FATF

ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday likened Pakistan to his "second home", and vowed that Ankara will support Islamabad at Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meetings despite any pressure.

Erdogan, who is on a two-day official trip to Pakistan, addressed the joint session of the parliament today.

In his address, Erdogan thanked the people of Pakistan and its leadership over the warm welcome he was accorded upon arrival.

“It is my pleasure to speak to you. I am thankful to you for giving me the opportunity to address this august house.”

“While in Pakistan, I think as if I am at my home,” he said.

"We can never forget the sacrifices made by the people of South Asia for the freedom of Turkey."

He thanked Pakistan for extending support when the earthquake had hit his country. "The way Pakistani nation helped us, I can never forget."

Support for Kashmir

Reiterating his support for the Kashmir cause, Erdogan said, "For Turkey, Kashmir is as [important as] it is for Pakistan."

"Our Kashmiri brethren have suffered a lot and the situation has now become worse.”

"The issue can only be resolved through justice and fairness. Such a solution will be in the interest of all the stakeholders and Turkey will continue to support peace and dialogue in this regard.”

Lambasts Trump’s ‘Peace Plan’

Erdogan lashed out at US President Donald Trump over the Middle East ‘Peace Plan’, and instead branded it a ‘takeover plan’. “No distance can build a wall between the hearts of believers. It is our duty to help the oppressed Muslims.”

"The plan of the 'deal of the century' is not a peace project but in fact, a project for occupation.”

‘Will back Pakistan at FATF despite pressure’

The Turkish president also hailed Pakistan's efforts in the war on terrorism and said the country was the most affected by the menace. “We are fully cognizant of the problems faced by Pakistan and we will continue to extend cooperation to it to cope with them.”

"Despite all the pressure, I assure you Turkey's unflinching support at the FATF."

“Our friendship is based on love and respect. Pakistan’s pain is our pain,” the Turkish president said.

"Pakistan is moving towards progress and it cannot be achieved in days, it requires hard work."

"Like in the past, we will continue to support Pakistan in the future," he said.

Joint Session

Earlier upon arrival, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser welcomed the visiting dignitary.

Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied the Turkish president.

Speaker Asad Qaiser welcomed the Turkish president and said that “he is a true friend of Pakistan and an important leader of the Islamic world.”

It was the fourth address  of President Erdogan to a joint sitting.

Red carpet welcome

The Turkish president is currently on a two-day visit to Islamabad.  

This visit is considered extremely significance  in the light of PM Imran's decision to skip the Kuala Lumpur Summit in December, which was jointly planned by Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia.

Earlier on Thursday, Erdogan was accorded a warm red-carpet welcome as he arrived on an official visit. PM Imran received the Turkish leader at the Nur Khan Airbase. 

Erdogan last addressed a joint session when he visited the country in late 2016.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which was in opposition at the time, had boycotted the session of the parliament Erdogan addressed. In a statement, the party had said that it did not consider Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister at the time, as a legitimate ruler.

However, this time all the opposition parties will attend the special session convened for the Turkish president.