ANKARA: 24 March 2017: A large number of
distinguished guests participated in the reception hosted by Pakistan’s
Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood in Ankara on 23rd March as part
of the National Day celebrations. Senior Turkish civil and military leadership,
leading businessmen, media
representatives, Pakistani community, and diplomats based in Turkey
attended “Pakistan Day” reception.
The Minister for National Defence of Turkey, Mr.
Fikri Işık, was the chief guest on the occasion. Other high-level guests
included Deputy Chief of
Turkish General Staff General Umit Dundar, Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmet Yıldız, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs Mr. Ali Şahin, Deputy
Minister of Economy Mr. Fatih Metin, Chairman of Saadat Party Mr. Temel Karamollaoğlu, Chairman
of Grand Union Party Mr. Mustafa Destici and Head of
Turkey-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group Mr. Muhammet Balta.
Minister for National Defense Fikri Işık in his
speech said that he witnessed closely the cordial hospitality of the people of Pakistan
during his recent visit to Pakistan. He said we always keep in our hearts alive
the history of Turkish-Pakistan unity and brotherhood. He termed relations between Pakistan and
Turkey as exemplary and said both countries have close defence ties. The
Minister said Turkish people will never forget the material and spiritual support
given by the Muslims of subcontinent during the Turkish War of Independence and
the solidarity shown by Pakistan during the 15 July coup attempt and afterwards,
he added.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his remarks, underscored
the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey and noted that these relations were
unique for the warmth, cordiality and mutual trust. He noted that both
countries were working to transform these cordial ties into a robust economic
partnership. He informed that the negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) were in the final stages. The Ambassador added that steps were
being taken to further promote investments, increase defence collaboration, and
intensify cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Referring to the
year 2017, which marks the 70th Year of Pakistan-Turkey Diplomatic Relations, he
stated that a series of events would be organized in the coming months to
celebrate this milestone. He thanked the brotherly people and Government of
Turkey for their invaluable support for all these efforts.
Guests were served Pakistani cuisine prepared
by executive chefs invited especially from Pakistan. A “Pakistan Food Festival”
also commenced with the National Day reception. The food festival shall
continue until 26 March 2017.
A stamps exhibition from the private collection
of former parliamentarian Mr. Arsan Savaş Arpacıoğlu was organized on the sidelines.
Historical stamps issued by both Pakistan and Turkey on different occasions,
stamps issued while Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) was operative,
and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s handwritten book “The Speech” were on display. A
photography exhibition of Pakistan was also on display to mark the “Pakistan
Day.”
Seperately, Turkey’s traditional Mehter Band
participated in the Pakistan Day Parade on 23rd March in Islamabad.
Later in the day, Istanbul University’s Chairman of Urdu Department, Prof. Dr.
Halil Toker, received “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” from President Mamnoon Hussain during
the investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in recognition of his services for the
promotion of Urdu language and literature and Pakistan-Turkey cultural cooperation.
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