Turkish Parliament Speaker Praises Punjab’s Heritage Preservation EffortsCalls for Enhanced Pakistan–Turkey Cooperation in Culture and Tourism

By Staff Reporter Muhammad Shahzad
LAHORE Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş has commended the Government of Punjab for its remarkable efforts to preserve and promote historical and cultural heritage, during his visit to the Lahore Museum on Wednesday.

Prof. Dr. Kurtulmuş was warmly welcomed by Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Punjab, along with Director Museum Ms. Nabila Irfan and other senior officials. Dr. Bhutta briefed the visiting dignitary on the museum’s rich legacy, its unique artefacts, and its galleries that vividly showcase Punjab’s vibrant and diverse cultural history.

The Turkish Speaker lauded the Punjab Government’s commitment, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, to safeguarding the province’s historical identity. He emphasized that cultural institutions like the Lahore Museum play a pivotal role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Kurtulmuş expressed a strong desire to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and hospitality development, noting that such initiatives can further deepen the fraternal relations between the two nations.

Dr. Ehsan Bhutta highlighted that, following the guidance of Senior Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Maryam Aurangzeb, the Punjab Government has allocated substantial funds for the rehabilitation and restoration of historical sites across the province. He added that Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman Khan is personally monitoring heritage preservation projects to ensure their effective implementation.

Dr. Bhutta also reaffirmed Pakistan and Turkey’s longstanding historical and cultural bonds, emphasizing Punjab’s eagerness to collaborate with Turkish institutions in heritage conservation, museum modernization, tourism development, and capacity-building initiatives.

Both sides agreed that joint efforts in tourism, archaeology, and cultural diplomacy would open new avenues for mutual learning and further strengthen the centuries-old brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey.