Ankara, November 13; In a meeting with the Pakistan delegation, President of Turkey, His Excellency, Mr. Abdullah Gul, shared lessons on civil- military relations and the pre-eminence of civilian, democratic dispensation over the security sector. While both Turkey and Pakistan are proud of their Militaries, both civil and military have distinct domains that are essential to consolidation of democracy in two countries.

Mr. Abdullah Gul was addressing a visiting Pakistan delegation that called upon him today at Ankara.

Mr. Gul said that Turkey and Pakistan have a special bond that can neither be put in words nor can be understood by a third entity. The special relationship between the two countries is both a historic and futuristic relationship that goes beyond politics. Both countries have and will remain friends regardless of the political party in power in either country.

Mr. Gul said that democracy and pluralism are the preferred systems for both Turkey and Pakistan. While both countries have faced similar problems of military coups and financial crises, Turkey has dealt with these through economic and political stability. He hoped that Pakistan will also see a period of stability soon.

Congratulating Pakistan on the successful holding of General Election and transfer of power, Mr. Gul said that Pakistanis deserve accolades for the grace and political maturity through which democratic transition has been completed. He hoped that the ensuing period will that be of stability in Pakistan.

He highlighted that in order to move forward, energies of democratic governments should be focussed on setting their own houses in order. Energies focussed on internal political disputes instead weaken the countries. He said that while addressing the OIC summit in Tehran, he had shared the same thoughts with the countries of the Islamic World, failing which, either public uproar or foreign intervention would plague the OIC countries. Putting our own houses in order alone will be able to deal with the outside world adequately, he added.

Pakistan delegation which is on a Study Visit to Turkey from November 11-15, 45%9, has been facilitated by PILDAT. Under the leadership of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Pakistan Senate Defence Committee, the delegation includes Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, former Defence Minister of Pakistan, Senator Farhatullah Babar, former spokesperson of the President of Pakistan, Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo, President National Party, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, MNA, former IT Minister, Ms. Shaista Pervez Malik, MNA, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, former MNA and former Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Cyril Almeida, Senior Journalist, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Humayun Bangash, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, former Governor Sindh and former Interior Minister, Mr. Shahid Malik, former Ambassador, Mr. Tasneem Noorani, former Federal Secretary, Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, senior Journalist, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat was also part of the Pakistan delegation's Call-on the President of the Republic of Turkey.

The Pakistan Delegation is on a visit to study democratic civil- military relations and consolidation of democracy in Turkey.