ISLAMABAD: PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif paid a courtesy call on the visiting Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Islamabad on Tuesday.

During the course of their warm and cordial exchanges, the two leaders recalled their earlier meetings, both in Pakistan and in Turkey which had enabled them to develop deep ties of friendship.

In this context, Nawaz Sharif recalled his visit to Turkey in October 2011 at Prime Minister Erdogan's invitation. The visit had enabled him to gain an understanding of the remarkable transformation that had taken place in Turkey, under the leadership of Erdogan.

The PML-N chief complimented the Turkish prime minister on introducing far-reaching reforms that had strengthened the country's economy, as well as the institutions of democracy.

Sharif also thanked Prime Minister Erdogan for Turkey's strong and generous support and assistance to Pakistan over the years and in particular, after the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods that had devastated large areas of Pakistan.

The Turkish prime minister thanked Nawaz Sharif for his strong and abiding friendship for his country, which he greatly valued. He reaffirmed Turkey's unflinching support to Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and the leader of the opposition in the Senate Ishaq Dar.