Turkey vows to support Pakistan for NSG membership, resolution of Kashmir dispute

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ANKARA: Brotherly Islamic country Turkey has vowed to extend all out support to Pakistan regarding seeking membership of Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) and its long standing stance on Kashmir dispute.

An eight-member Parliamentary Solidarity delegation of Pakistan headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed which is currently on a visit to Turkey, on Thursday paid a visit to Turkish Foreign Office and held meeting with Director General (DG) South Asia, Swat Aghan and other officials and discussed Pak-Turkey bilateral relations and regional situation with them.

Talking to the delegation, Swat Aghan said that stability in Afghanistan is in the larger interest of the region especially Pakistan. Turkey has always played key role for peace and stability in Afghanistan and it will continue to extend support in this regard in future, he added.

DG South Asia expressing dissatisfaction over the volume of trade between Pakistan and Turkey stressed the need of further boosting the trade between the two brotherly countries.

Commenting over the Pakistan efforts over seeking membership of NSG, Swat Aghan said “Turkey keen to see that Pakistan also be given the NSG membership whenever India was awarded with the membership”.

He admitted hurdles faced by Pakistani tourists due to cumbersome Turkish visa policy and said that Turkey was ready to look into the issue. Recent terrorist attacks were major obstacle in visa issues which would be resolved amicably, he assured.

The DG South Asia said that Turkey entirely supports the stance of Pakistan on Kashmir dispute.

The Parliamentary delegation assured Swat Aghan of complete support of Pakistan towards Turkish government stance on Cyprus.