Noted Pakistani literary figure Amjad Islam Amjad receives Turkey’s prestigious Necip Fazil Award

ISTANBUL, 22 December 2019: Noted Pakistani writer and poet Amjad Islam Amjad received the prestigious “Nacip Fazil International Culture & Art Award” during an impressive ceremony held in Istanbul on Saturday evening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Fuat Oktay, Culture & Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Treasury & Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül, Minister for Family & Social Welfare Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya, Star newspaper Editor-in-Chief Nuh Albayrak as well as leading literary figures and media personalities attended the ceremony. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Mr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi was also present.  

 

The Necip Fazil International Culture & Art Award is organized by Turkey’s leading newspaper “Star” under the auspicious of Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism annually. Pakistan’s distinguished literary figure Amjad Islam Amjad was selected by the Award jury for his contribution in creating remarkable impression in the literary and artistic world. The Awards are organized to honor the cultural and literary heritage of the idealist, poet and thinker Necip Fazıl. He is one of the great poets of Turkey whose poetry, fiction and political writings had a profound impact on the new generations of Turkey. 

President Erdoğan congratulated recipients of the Awards including poet İbrahim Tenekeci, writer Cemal Şakar, poet Meryem Kılıç, short-story writer Emin Gürdamur, Pakistani poet Amjad Islam Amjad who received 2019 Necip Fazıl International Culture and Arts Award, as well as Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Aydın, and Coşkun Yılmaz for knowledge research and Prof. Uğur Derman for Necip Fazıl Award of Respect. Mr. Amjad Islam Amjad was the only foreign recipient of Necip Fazil Award in 2019.

Congratulating Amjad Islam Amjad for receiving the Award, President Erdoğan said Amjad Islam Amjad  is one of the important poets of modern Urdu literature and a prominent figure from Pakistan who apart from literature, has career in journalism and script writing. President Erdoğan said Pakistan is always a brotherly country and a cherished friend for Turkey. He noted that while relationships are based on mutual benefits, Turkey-Pakistan friendship is exemplary for the entire world as it is based on sincerity and solidarity.  President Erdoğan said that the heart-to-heart Turkey-Pakistan brotherly ties would be further strengthened in the days to come.

Mr. Amjad Islam Amjad received his award from Treasury & Finance Minister Berat Albayrak. In his acceptance speech Mr. Amjad thanked the jury for considering his works for this prestigious award. He said Turkey is close to every Pakistani’s heart. He said receiving this award in presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a great honour. “I consider Erdogan as greatest leader of the Muslim world in present times,” said Mr. Amjad. He hoped to see a translation centre of Muslims and Third World countries for better understanding of our common and mutual problems.

Separately, felicitating Amjad Islam Amjad, Ambassador Syrus Qazi stated that the Nacip Fazil Award was an acknowledgement of Amjad Islam’s outstanding contributions in the literary field. Ambassador highlighted the depth of love, affection and respect among the Turkish people and leadership for Pakistan and its people.

Pakistan Prime Minister’s meeting with Turkish President on the sidelines of Global Refugee Forum 17-18 December 2019 in Geneva

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of Global Refugee Forum in Geneva on 17 December 2019. The two leaders held discussions on a wide range of subjects. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the 6th Session of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) to be co-chaired by the two leaders, early next year in Islamabad. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for Turkey’s steadfast support on the Jammu and Kashmir issue, including Turkey’s active role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister also lauded Turkey’s measures to host the largest refugee population in the world and underscored the importance of the international community providing requisite support to the countries hosting large refugee populations. Both leaders also exchanged views on important regional and international issues and expressed satisfaction over commonality of views between the two countries on major issues. 

Peşaver'deki okula yapılan terör saldırısını anma töreni Ankara'da düzenlendi

ANKARA, 16 Aralık 2019: Peşaver'deki Ordu Devlet Okuluna (APS) 2014 yılında yapılan zalim terör saldırısında şehit olan okul çocukları ve öğretmenleri anmak için bugün Keçiören, Ankara'da önemli bir tören düzenlendi.  Keçiören Belediye Başkanı Sayın Turgut Altınok, Pakistan Büyükelçisi Sayın Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Pakistan Büyükelçilik çalışanları, aileleri, Keçiören Belediyesi çalışanları, sivil toplum üyeleri ve medya bu olaya katıldı.  

Bu olaydaki konuşmasında, Büyükelçi Syrus Sajjad Qazi 16 Aralık 2014'teki bu trajik olayın Pakistan ulusunun tarihindeki en acı veren olaylardan birisi olduğunu söyledi.  Hayvanlar bile 147 kişinin canlarının alındığı bu zalim terör saldırısında masum çocuklara karşı böylesine bir katliam gerçekleştiremezdi.  Büyükelçi Qazi “Bu çiçeklerin koparıldığı kalpsizce olay tüm kalplerde yara bırakmıştır ve biz bunun en kötü düşmanımızın bile başına gelmesini istemeyiz” dedi.  Pakistan halkına ulaşan ve güçlü dayanışma desteklerini ifade eden dünyadaki ilk olan Türkiye halkına ve liderlerine teşekkür etti.  Kendisi Keçiören Belediyesinin her şehit için bir ağaç dikme jestinin acılı aileler ve Pakistan ulusu için bir güç kaynağı olduğunu ve bunun onların hatıralarını Türkiye'de her zaman canlı tutacağını söyledi.  

Türk halkının Pakistan'la güçlü dayanışmasını yeniden teyit ederken, Keçiören Belediye Başkanı Sayın Turgut Altınok terör saldırısını lanetledi ve hiçbir şeyin böyle zalim ve insanlık dışı bir hareketi onaylayamayacağını söyledi.  Kendisi hem Pakistan'ın hem de Türkiye'nin TTP ve PKK biçimlerindeki terörizm belasıyla karşı karşıya olduğunu söyledi ve her iki ülkenin de halklarının desteği ve kararlılığıyla bunu aşacağını ümit etti.  Türkiye ve Pakistan halklarının birbirleriyle iyi ve kötü zamanlarında hep birlikte duracağını belirtti.  

Konuklar anıta çiçek bıraktılar ve ardından öbür tarafa göçen ruhlar için dua ettiler.   

Şunu hatırlatırız ki, Türkiye halkı ve liderleri 16 Aralık 2014'teki terör saldırısının hemen ardından Pakistan'a anında desteklerini gönderdiler.  Türkiye bir günlük ulusal yas ilan etti.  Ayrıca, bir dayanışma gösterisi olarak, Keçiören Belediyesi ve Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP) Gençlik Kolu üyeleri her bir şehit için Keçiören, Ankara'daki Hatıra Ormanına bir ağaç diktiler.  

Commemorative Ceremony for Peshawar School Terrorist Attack Victims held in Ankara

ANKARA, 16 December 2019: To pay homage to the school children and staff martyred in the brutal terrorist attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School (APS) in 2014, a solemn ceremony was held today at Keçiören, Ankara. Mayor of Keçiören Mr. Turgut Altinok, Ambassador of Pakistan Mr.  Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Pakistan Embassy officials, their families, Keçiören Municipality officials, members of civil society and media attended the event.

In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi said the 16 December 2014 tragic event was one of most painful days in the history of the Pakistani nation. Even animals would not commit such a massacre of innocent children when 147 lives were taken away in the brutal terrorist attack. “The heartless manner, in which these flowers were plucked away, left every heart bleeding, and we will never wish this to happen even to our worst enemy,” Ambassador Qazi said. He thanked the people and leadership of Turkey who were among the first in the world to reach out and express strong solidarity with the people of Pakistan. He said the special gesture of Keçiören Municipality of planting a tree for each martyr was a source of strength for the grieving families and the Pakistani nation and this would keep their memory alive in Turkey forever.

While reaffirming the strong solidarity of the people of Turkey with Pakistan, Mayor of Keçiören Mr. Turgut Altinok condemned the terrorist attack and said nothing can justify such a brutal and inhuman act. He said both Pakistan and Turkey were facing the challenge of terrorism, in the shape of TTP and PKK and hoped that both countries through the support and strong determination of their people will overcome it. He said that the people of Turkey and Pakistan will always stand by each other in good and bad times. 

The guests joined placed flowers at the memorial, followed by prayers for the departed souls. 

It may be recalled that the people and leadership of Turkey extended spontaneous support to Pakistan in the face of the terrorist attack of 16 December 2014. Turkey declared a day of national mourning. Also, as a show of solidarity, Keçiören Municipality and Youth Wing members of the Justice and Development (AK) Party planted trees, one for each shaheed, at the AK Party Memorial Forest in Keçiören, Ankara. 

Two-days International Conference on Kashmir held in Ankara Delegates urge India to lift blockade, respect human rights and resolve Kashmir dispute peacefully through dialogue

ANKARA, 21 November 2019: The two-day international conference on Jammu & Kashmir dispute held in Ankara on 20-21 November jointly organized by Lahore Center for Peace Research and Institute of Strategic Thinking under the theme “Kashmir Turmoil: Emerging Threats to Peace and Role of International Community” concluded.

Leading scholars, parliamentarians, academicians, researchers, journalists and writers from across the world attended the event that discussed the historical, legal, political, security and human rights dimensions of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. These deliberations were followed up by a comprehensive ‘Strategic Thinking Workshop’ on the Kashmir dispute.

The inaugural session had high-level Turkish and international representation, including the President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, Senator Ms. Sherry Rehman from Pakistan, Lord Nazir Ahmad from the UK, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Turkey Mr. Ismail Rustu Cirit,  President Religious Affairs of Turkey Prof. Dr. Ali Erbas, Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mr. Surreya Sadi Bilgic, Deputy Chairman of Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the Turkish Parliament Mr. Muhammet Emin Akbasoglu, Deputy Chairman of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Turkish Parliament Mr. Erkan Akcay and parliamentarians from Indonesia, Egypt and Iran.

President Masood Khan, Senator Sherry Rehman, Lord Nazir Ahmad and other speakers gave a comprehensive overview of the prevalent situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir following India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. These illegal steps were in direct contravention of the international law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir and had been rejected by the Kashmiris. They showed deep concern at the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K as millions of Kashmiris are braving continued blockade since August.

Dignitaries from Turkey once again reiterated their steadfast support to the people of  IOJ&K. Kashmiri representatives thanked the leadership and people of Turkey, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for Turkey’s principled stance on the issue.

A remarkable factor was that all delegates unanimously condemned the 5^th August 2019 illegal actions of India in the occupied Kashmir. Conference participants also showed concern at the growing trend of Hindutva in India which threatens minorities. They stressed on the need to defuse military tensions in South Asia keeping in view that both Pakistan and India are nuclear armed states and any miscalculation could be of disastrous consequences for the entire world.

Conference participants were unanimous in their views that the continued blockade of Kashmir should immediately end and international human rights organizations, observers and independent media should be allowed to visit Indian occupied Kashmir. They were unanimous in their views that Jammu & Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully by upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Kashmiris in accordance with the UN resolutions.