Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif called on Turkish President Abdullah Gull at Ankara. Speaking on the occasion, the Turkish President said that friendship between Pakistan and Turkey was unprecedented and fraternal ties would continue to be strengthened in the coming years as well. He disclosed that he had convinced Nawaz Sharif to contest the last elections, said a handout. He said he met Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan and insisted on his participation in elections besides also telephoned him from Turkey for this purpose.He said that he not only asked for participation of Nawaz Sharif but also of his brother Shahbaz Sharif in the elections.President Abdullah Gull stated that he believed that obligations of democratic process in Pakistan could not be fulfilled without participation of Nawaz Sharif in the elections. Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said on the occasion that by re-electing their leadership, people of Turkey have paid tributes to its role in the progress and development of the country. He also appreciated the role of President Abdullah Gull in constitutional reforms and said that Pakistan also needs an Abdullah Gull for amendment in its constitution to make it democratic in the real sense. He said that people of Pakistan would always remember help and assistance of Turkish government and people for the earthquake affectees in 2005. Senior Advisor to Chief Minister, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Chairman Chief Ministers Taskforce, Shuja Khanzada, Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource, Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sohna, Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment, Pir Saad Ehsan-ud-Din and Secretary Chief Ministers Advisory Council were also present on the occasion.
