The President of Turkey Abdullah Gul here on Thursday paid a visit to mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and paid glowing tributes to the 'poet of the East'. He offered Fateha at mausoleum of the poet and prayed for strengthening of Pak-Turk relations. He termed Iqbal's poetry as a shared legacy of people of Pakistan and Turkey. He also laid floral wreath at the mausoleum.
Abdullah Gul also paid a visit to Badshahi Mosque and praised the architectural prowess of Mughals. Earlier, the Turkish President was given a warm welcome at his arrival at the mausoleum by Rangers and was received by Governor Punjab Salman Taseer and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
President of Turkey, who arrived at Lahore Airport on a two-day visit on the invitation of Punjab CM was received by Governor Punjab, CM Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Senior Minister Raja Riaz, Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal, provincial ministers and senior officials.
People warmly welcomed the Turkish President Abdullah Gul while standing by the roads where his motorcade passed. A total number of 8,000 policemen and 2,000 traffic officials were deployed in the city for Turkish President's tour of the city.