- Punjab CM hosts visiting delegations led by Turkish Speaker Prof Dr Numan Kurtulmuş and Azerbaijani Speaker Ms Sahiba Gafarova
- Conveys goodwill messages from people of Punjab to the leaderships of Türkiye and Azerbaijan
- Lauds both nations’ principled stance on Kashmir and condemnation of recent Indian aggression
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday warmly welcomed visiting parliamentary delegations from Türkiye and Azerbaijan, led respectively by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Prof Dr Numan Kurtulmuş and Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Ms Sahiba Gafarova, reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to deepening ties with both brotherly nations in the spirit of shared faith, history, and values.
Extending heartfelt greetings on behalf of the people of Punjab, the chief minister conveyed messages of goodwill to the leaderships of Türkiye and Azerbaijan and lauded both countries for their principled and unwavering support of Pakistan, particularly their strong stance on the Kashmir issue and condemnation of recent Indian aggression.
It was indeed an absolute honour to welcome Her Excellency, the first woman Speaker of Azerbaijan, and His Excellency, the Speaker of Türkiye.
Our three nations have stood together through every challenge, united not only by deep bonds of brotherhood, but also by shared values,… pic.twitter.com/GzDzO2g7qu— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 14, 2025
CM Maryam Nawaz expressed deep appreciation for the consistent diplomatic and moral support extended by Türkiye and Azerbaijan at international platforms, emphasizing that the trilateral partnership of Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan went beyond conventional diplomacy and symbolized a bond rooted in mutual trust, culture, and shared aspirations.
During the meeting, the delegations discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation in education, health, and information technology, with both visiting dignitaries expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for the generous hospitality and warm welcome extended to them in Punjab.
Speaking on Pakistan’s ties with the two nations, the chief minister said:
“Türkiye and Azerbaijan are more than brotherly nations for us. They have always stood by Pakistan in every hour of need. Our trilateral cooperation is a welcome step towards regional peace, stability, and development.”
Outlining her vision for Punjab’s uplift, Maryam Nawaz said improving the quality of life of the people remained her top priority. She noted that within a few months, Punjab had completed a record 90,000 housing units, launched large-scale agricultural mechanization, and was working to make Lahore home to the world’s largest public-sector cancer hospital.
She highlighted the introduction of a KPI-based governance model inspired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership and said the ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) initiative was now the world’s largest integrated solid waste management program.
Discussing Punjab’s rich cultural identity, the CM said historical landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, and Wazir Khan Mosque were “shining symbols of Muslim civilization.” She added that efforts were underway to have Lahore declared the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027.
Maryam Nawaz also recalled Punjab’s massive rescue and relief operations during the worst floods in its history, saying the province’s resilience reflected its people’s unity and resolve. “The love and respect we hold for Türkiye and Azerbaijan are a legacy from my father, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,” she remarked.
She added that Punjab was introducing over a thousand new tourist sites and corridors, including religious, environmental, medical, and wildlife tourism, to further strengthen people-to-people connections.
Both visiting speakers praised Punjab’s development progress and hospitality. Dr Numan Kurtulmuş reaffirmed Türkiye’s readiness to cooperate in all sectors, particularly education, while Ms Sahiba Gafarova described Lahore as a “beautiful city of rich history and culture” and lauded the province’s achievements in health and education.
The meeting, also attended by Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, reaffirmed that Pakistan deeply valued the principled support of Türkiye and Azerbaijan on the Kashmir issue and emphasized that such high-level parliamentary exchanges would further strengthen political, cultural, and economic ties among the three nations.
