Pakistan Embassy holds reception to mark national day

By Sena Guler and Kubra Chohan

ANKARA

The Pakistan Embassy in Ankara held a reception on Friday to mark its National Day.

Traditional cuisine from the regions of Sindh, Punjab, Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir Balochistan were served to the guests present at the event.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag, Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar attended the reception along with diplomats from various countries.

The Turkish and Pakistani national anthems were played while students from the Pakistan Embassy School, donning their national dress, took the stage.

Speaking at the event, Pakistan's Ambassador to Ankara Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi thanked the Turkish government for illuminating the bridges over the in colors of the Pakistani flag to mark the occasion.

T-129 ATAK helicopters, developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and AgustaWestland, also flew over Pakistan's capital Islamabad to mark the celebrations, Qazi added.

Also speaking at the event, Canikli said that Turkey and Pakistan are two brotherly countries.

He added that the two countries are in close cooperation in the defense sector and are carrying out “significant and critical defense projects”.

He also praised Pakistan for the support it extended to Ankara in various time periods, including Turkey’s independence war and its fight against Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Prof. Dr. Oya Akgonenc, of of International Relations at Ufuk University in Ankara, was awarded Pakistan's prestigious civil award Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, conferred by Pakistan's president, for promoting ties between Pakistan and Turkey in academic, cultural and political fields.

Earlier on Friday, Qazi raised the Pakistani Flag at the embassy in presence of the Pakistani community.