ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Monday, paid glowing tribute to unflinching Turkish support to Pakistan in difficulties, saying that bilateral Pak-Turk trade volume would cross limit of $ 2 billions this year.

“Last year bilateral trade volume remained $ 1 billions” he said adding that both the countries were bound in spiritual and religious bonds and share equal historical and cultural similarities and commonalities.

While paying vote of thanks to visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for addressing joint sitting of the both the Houses of the Parliament here, Prime Minister Gilani said that he was feeling extremely privileged for having opportunity to invite Erdogan to address the Parliament of Pakistan twice in short span of three years only.

Mentioning active participation by Muslims of sub-continent for the protection of ‘Caliphate Movement’ in third decade of 20th century, Gilani said that Muslims of sub-continent carried out ‘Caliphate Movement’ with the same zeal and fervor which was demonstrated by Turkish brothers and sisters during devastating floods and earthquake in Pakistan.

Reciting a couplet from the poetry of ‘Great Poet of the East’ Allama Muhammad Iqbal in which Allama had paid rich tribute to Mualana Roomi, Gilani said that forefathers of both the nations benefited from each other’s experiences and knowledge and shared sentiments of love and regard.

He further highlighted the visionary leadership of Raccep Erdogan, he said that Turkey achieved great milestone of progress and prosperity under his leadership and Turkey had emerged as role model for the entire Muslim Ummah.

While paying gratitude to people and government of Turkey for standing by Pakistani nation against devastating floods in 2010, Gilani said that Turkish Prime Minister sent his family to express solidarity with affected Pakistani nation as well as to monitor relief work personally.

“It is difficult to forget the support and solidarity shown by great Turkish nation towards Pakistan in difficult times” he said that adding that Pakistani people and government were profoundly grateful to Turkish nation for unshaken resolve to help Pakistanis in hard times.

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