AWARDS CEREMONY FOR 6TH EDITION OF ‘JINNAH YOUNG WRITERS AWARD’ HELD IN ANKARA

Press Release

Ankara, 12th December 2023

AWARDS CEREMONY FOR 6TH EDITION OF ‘JINNAH YOUNG WRITERS AWARD’
HELD IN ANKARA

Awards ceremony for sixth edition of ‘Jinnah Young Writers Award’, essay competition was held in Ankara today. The prize distribution ceremony was graced by the Turkish Minister for National Education, H.E Yusuf Tekin and ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye H.E Dr. Yousaf Junaid. Participating students, academicians, diplomats, heads of various departments of education ministry and media attended the event.

Named after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, the essay competition is one of the key features of Pakistan Embassy’s commitment to intellectual development. The essay competition is held annually among senior high school students of Turkiye. Theme for the 6th round of competition was ‘Muhammad Iqbal and Mehmet Akif Ersoy- Two great poets of 20^th century’. Muhammad Iqbal and Mehmet Akif are the national poets of Pakistan and Turkiye respectively and great political thinkers, who guided their nations to freedom and dignity.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for National Education of Turkiye Mr. Yusuf Tekin stated joint initiatives as Jinnah Young Writers Award are reflective of our commitment to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and friendship and pass it on to our future generations as a sacred trust. The Minister expressed satisfaction that through Jinnah Young Writers Competition, the ministry is fulfilling its desire and duty of handling over the legacy of ancestors to future generations in the finest manner.

Referring to the theme of the competition, the minister highlighted that Muhammad Iqbal and Mehmet Akif drove their inspiration from Quran and advocated against persecution, injustice and under development, guiding their nations to freedom and independence.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, Dr Yousaf Junaid stated that fraternal Pakistan Turkiye relations go back centuries and are embedded in common religious, cultural, linguistic and spiritual heritage. From Jinnah Avenue in Ankara to Ataturk Avenue in Islamabad, we are eternally connected with bonds of love and amity.

Ambassador Junaid emphasized that Pakistan and Turkiye have always stood shoulder to shoulder in difficult times and celebrate each other’s achievements and successes. Be it an earthquake in Turkiye or floods in Pakistan, the out pouring of support and sympathy was always unprecedented. The ambassador highlighted that Jinnah Young Writers Award was playing an important role in acquainting the younger generation with the glorious history of Pakistan Turkiye fraternal ties and would continue to apprise future generations of our mutual affection.

Mustafa Mert Tokgoz, from Alibeykoy Anadolu Lisesi Istanbul clinched first position , the second prize went to Busra Karakoc of Haci Ismail Kavlu Kiz A.IHL Corum, and Batuhan Yildrim of Mustafa Asim Koksal A.IHL Kayseri secured the third position. Tulay Sen from Eti Sosyal Bilimler Lisesi Eskisehir, Feride Ekin Karayel of Ozel Soke Sinav Koleji Fen L Aydin and Cansu Dalga of Yusuf Kemalettin Perin Fen L of Izmir were awarded ‘Honourable Mention’.

***(25/2023)***

in 2023

# Awards

Kashmir Black Day Commemorated in Ankara

January 5, 2024

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DR. ARIF ALVI ON THE OCCASION OF THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION DAY

Every year, on the 5th of January, we renew our support for the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day in 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) unanimously adopted a resolution affirming the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.

The right to self-determination is a cardinal principle of international law, upheld in numerous core United Nations Treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. For decades, it has been reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly in its annual resolution on self-determination. However, the last 76 years of India’s occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are a sad story of repression of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

India is trying to consolidate its occupation of IIOJK. The Indian Supreme Court’s judgement of 11 December 2023 on the status of this disputed territory is the latest step in this direction. India is trying to subjugate the Kashmiris through such oppressive tactics further. It continues to deny their inalienable right to self-determination and live with freedom and dignity.

Today’s commemoration is aimed at reminding the international community of its responsibility towards the oppressed Kashmiri people. The United Nations must honour the commitments that it made 75 years ago and support the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination.

Pakistan remains determined to play its role in supporting the right to self-determination of Kashmiris through a free and impartial plebiscite as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Our strong and steadfast moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people will continue till the realisation of this inalienable right.

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The Embassy of

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Ankara, Türkiye