Pakistani PM visits Turkish parliament

By Ahmet Sait Akcay

ANKARA (AA) - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Turkey’s parliament on Thursday and witnessed the bomb damage caused during the country’s defeated 15 July 2016 coup.

Sharif visited the Ankara building as part of his three-day official visit to Turkey.

He was welcomed by ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party group deputy chairman Ahmet Aydin and was shown the bombed-out parts of the parliament building.

During the visit, Sharif told journalists his feelings about the coup bid and the resistance to it.

“It is extremely a moving experience to stand here in the Turkish parliament which was targeted during the heinous coup attempt on the 15th of July last year.

“The Turkish Grand National Assembly is a sacred symbol of Turkish democracy and the aspirations of the people,” he said.

He said the world had witnessed the “shining example of human revolt and bravery and sacrifice all across Turkey” when people resisted the coup attempt.

“Our brotherhood has existed for centuries and will live forever Insha’Allah [God willing],” he added.

He went on to say: “Democracy is a key value binding our nations together.”

Aydin thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s solidarity and for standing by the Turkish nation and democracy from the beginning.

“The relations between Turkey and Pakistan are based on brotherhood and friendship which has deep history and roots,” he said.