ANKARA, 18 June 2017: Thousands
attended an enthralling performance of Pakistani culture at Keçiören, Ankara,
during the celebration of “Pakistan Night” as part of the 8th International
Ramazan Festivities, hosted by the Municipality of Keçiören.
President of Pakistan-Turkey Cultural
Association and Member Parliament Burhan Kayatürk, Ambassador of Pakistan Sohail
Mahmood, Keçiören Municipality Mayor Mustafa Ak, Director General of South Asia
in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Fazli Çorman and other dignitaries
jointly cut the ribbon to open the Pakistan House (Pavilion) as part of
the festivities. A broad range of Pakistani products including colourful textiles,
traditional handicrafts, truck art, coffee table books, photographic display of
Pakistan’s natural beauty and key events of Turkey-Pakistan relations, and tourism
materials were on display at the Pakistan House.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood in his
address reiterated solidarity with Turkey in the wake of 15 July heinous coup
attempt and prayed for the departed souls who made the ultimate sacrifice. The
martyrs included many belongıng to Keçiören as well. He also paid rich tributes
to Mayor Mustafa Ak for regularly organizing the Ramazan Istanbul Festivities that
helped introduce diverse cultures to the people of Keçiören. Highlighting the
special and abiding nature of Pakistan-Turkey relations, Ambassador Sohail
Mahmood urged the younger generation to further promote this fraternal relationship
nurtured by their ancestors over centuries. Both
countries were also organizing a series of events to celebrate 2017 as “70th Year
of Pakistan-Turkey Diplomatic Relations,” he added.
It may be recalled that, in a special
gesture, Keçiören Municipality had planted 140 trees at the AK Party Memorial
Forest in January 2015 in memory of the Shaheeds of Army Public School,
Peshawar. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, once again, thanked the people of Keçiören
for this exemplary solidarity.
Mayor Mustafa Ak said “Pakistan is
Turkey and Turkey is Pakistan as both countries have a special relationship”,
rooted deep in history. Expressing his delight at Pakistan’s participation for
the third time in the Ramazan Festivities, he said that such participation
provided an opportunity to the people of Turkey to know more about the
Pakistani culture. He informed that the representatives of 17 countries from
different regions of the world participated in the Festival this year.
Parliamentarian Burhan Kayatürk, in his
remarks, highlighted the cultural links and shared history between Turkey and
Pakistan and particularly the support extended by the forefathers of the people
of Pakistan during the Turkish War of Independence. He called for further
strengthening cultural ties between the two countries. Burhan Kayatürk also
appreciated the quality of education at Pakistan Embassy School Ankara and
termed it as one of the best educational institutions.
Later, students from Pakistan Embassy
School, and Pakistani students at various Turkish Universities, presented a
vibrant cultural show. The performances portrayed multiple dimensions of the
rich and diverse culture of Pakistan. A particular attraction at Pakistan
Pavilion was the Beetle car, with unique truck art of Pakistan, with which
visitors of all ages enthusiastically took photographs. Female visitors also
availed themselves of the free henna (mehandi) offered at Pakistan
Pavilion.
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