CM eyes climate mitigation bond with Turkiye

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has welcomed Turkiye's interest in Pakistan's Special Economic Zones.

During a meeting President of the European Union Harmonisation Committee and Member of Turkish Grand National Assembly Burhan Kaya Turk, she also expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye for their timely assistance during recent devastating floods in Punjab.

The leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral parliamentary ties and the need for enhanced cooperation in flood management, clean transport, forest protection, water conservation and climate-smart infrastructure.

The chief minister welcomed the Turkish delegation as both sides held a comprehensive discussion on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, environmental issues and parliamentary affairs.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Burhan Kaya Turk's visit to Lahore is an honour for Pakistan and a testament to everlasting brotherhood, shared heritage and mutual trust between the two nations. She added that high-level Pakistan-Turkiye engagement reinforces shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity amid evolving regional dynamics.

She noted that both countries always stood by each other in times of crises, humanitarian emergencies and environmental disasters. She lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unwavering support for Pakistan, which speaks volumes of his profound love for Pakistan.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commended Turkiye's bold and principled stance on the Palestine issue as a source of confidence for the entire Muslim world. "From Kashmir to Gaza, there is no distance between the hearts and positions of Pakistan and Turkiye," she noted.

She said cooperation in climate legislation, local government, digital exchange and youth empowerment would give new dimensions to Pakistan-Turkiye relations.