AK Party chief addresses Pakistani party conference

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - A leading figure from Turkey’s governing Justice and Development (AK) Party on Saturday thanked the people and the government of Pakistan for their support in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt.

“I feel proud of Pakistan-Turkey relations, which are getting stronger with every passing day in each and every sector,” Deputy Chairman Mehdi Eker said in a telephone address to members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party gathered in the northern city of Peshawar.

“Both countries have supported each other in testing times. I thank the people of Pakistan for supporting democracy and opposing the foiled coup attempt on July 15.”

Turkey and Pakistan have both faced military interventions in domestic politics over the last 70 years, often resulting in bloodshed.

Eker, who holds responsibility for foreign affairs, reiterated Turkey’s support for self-determination for the people of Indian-held Kashmir.

“God willing the people of Kashmir will soon achieve their destination,” he said in a statement issued by Jamaat-e-Islami.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Siraj-ul-Haq said his party was struggling for peace, justice and democracy.

“If the people of Pakistan trust in us, we assure them that they will witness the real fruits of democracy in the form of peace, justice and development,” he said.