ISLAMABAD – The municipality of Ankara, sister city of Islamabad, would extend its full cooperation to the federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, in the areas of rapid mass transit, solid waste management and development of Ankara Park in the capital city of Pakistan.
This was decided in a meeting of Chairman Prime Minister Task Force Faisal Sakhi Butt and Mayor of Ankara Melih Gokcek, wherein both sides have agreed to develop further cooperation on the issues of common interest including provision decent public transport facilities, up gradation of the civic services and improvement of the cultural and recreational facilities in line with needs of the modern metropolitans around the world.
During the meeting, Melih Gokcek said that it is indeed fitting that our capital cities, Islamabad and Ankara, have already embarked on a long-term partnership to link municipalities, city governments, business and cultural communities and citizens.
“I believe that this Sister City relationship between Islamabad and Ankara will foster strong bonds across culture, politics and business. It is a relationship between cities, but more importantly, a relationship between the people of these cities,” said Mr Melih Gokcek
Gokcek said that he was happy to see that finally Islamabad is being represented by the resident of the city and assured that the Ankara Municipality would assist in running the decent transport facility to redesign and construct a modern park at the site as a gift to the people of Islamabad.
He also offered architectural and technical assistance to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to redesign and develop other parks and playgrounds in the capital city.
The exchange of technical experts and social and cultural delegations would cement the brotherly ties between the two countries, the mayor added.
Islamabad and Ankara are sister cities since 1982. Old Rawal Park, situated on the main club road of Islamabad with an area of 33 acres of land, was named “Ankara Park” in 2005 as a symbol of brotherhood between Pakistan and Turkey.
The sitting Mayor of Ankara Melih Gokcek, inaugurated the Park while leading a 130-member Turkish delegation, which took part in the “Margalla Festival 2005”.