Ashgabat (Web Desk/Agencies): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday stressed need to focus on promoting connectivity among regional countries and help strengthen cultures and economic cooperation.
He was addressing International Forum on "Interrelation of Times and Civilizations-Basis of Peace and Development" in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat on Friday.
International Forum is being held to mark 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, a great Turkmen thinker, poet and philosopher.
The event was also attended by several regional leaders including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rehmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and others.
President Zardari said that said Pakistan and Turkmenistan share a deep rooted bond of brotherhood which is built on a mutual respect, commonality of faith and a shared vision of a better peaceful future.
The president extended his heartfelt appreciation to the government and brotherly people of Turkmenistan for organising prestigious event aimed at promoting understanding, peace and dialogue among cultures.
The President expressed his delight to share that our national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and towering figure of Turkmen literature, Makhdum Gulli Fraghi share several commonalities in their poetry and thoughts on Sufism and nationalism.
He lauded the Turkmen government and people for organizing the event to promote understanding of peace and dialogue among different cultures which also provided him an opportunity to interact with leaders of regional countries to help strengthen mutual friendship.
President Zardari said that his participation in the forum reflected his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
He said Magtymguly Faragi was not only a poet but also an aspiration and symbol of the Turkmen people’s love for their homeland.
“His works continue to resonate with us today providing guidance, inspiration and sense of unity,” President Zardari said.
Magtymguly Faragi was born in the times of great political and social unrest when the the Turkmen tribe was scattered and divided, yet despite this challenge, he dedicated his life to the dream of seeing Turkmen people united, the president added.
He expressed the hope that the discussions and deliberations in the Forum would not only honour the memories Magtymguly Faragi but also help explore new avenues for cultural collaboration.
President Zardari also expressed his pleasure to meet Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and recalled his several meetings with Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow, father of the incumbent president.
