MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 26 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan flew into Azad Kashmir capital along with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday and inspected several facilities built by his country after the 2005 earthquake.

This is Mr Erdogan's second visit to Muzaffarabad in four years.

He inaugurated the Khurshid National Library and planted a sapling in its lawn. Later, the Turkish leader visited the multi-purpose community hall where students, waving flags of Turkey, Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, greeted him with welcoming slogans.

AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan hosted a reception for the leaders which was also attended by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider.

Mr Erdogan said Muzaffarabad was in a much better condition today than it was four years ago after the earthquake.

“It is really heart-warming to see life return to normal in such a short time ... and such exquisite buildings,” he said. “Turkey will continue to support Kashmiri brethren,” he added.

Mr Erdogan said he could still recall the horrifying scenes that he had seen after the quake.

Prime Minister Gilani highlighted commonalities in approach on regional issues, urged Turkey to support Pakistan's stand on Kashmir and said that it was important to resolve the issue for regional peace.

Reiterating Pakistans desire to maintain friendly ties with all its neighbours, he said “The sacrifices and just stand of Kashmiris will bear fruit.”

Earlier, Mr Erdogan unveiled a plaque and offered prayers at the Osmania Masjid.

The Turkish government had approved the construction of the mosque and Khurshid National Library in addition to the huge district headquarters complex, including offices and residential quarters and a multi-purpose community hall and a shopping plaza.

Turkey has rendered remarkable help in all three post-quake phases - rescue, relief and reconstruction.

From retrieving survivors from beneath huge concrete slabs, providing food to building majestic structures, the Turkish government, civic bodies and non-governmental organisations have made the most noticeable contribution towards alleviating the sufferings of the quake survivors.

APP adds “Turkey may be far away ... but its people keep you close to their heart,” he said.

Mr Erdogan expressed the hope that Pakistan would soon be able to eradicate terrorism which was having a negative affect on it. “Let's work in solidarity to fight the menace.”