ANKARA: 15 August: Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey H.E. Mr. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi presented Pakistan’s high civil awards to leading Turkish personalities at a dignified ceremony held in Ankara on Friday evening.
The President of Pakistan had conferred the prestigious “Sitar-i-Pakistan” upon Mr. Ali Şahin, President of Turkey-Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group in Turkish Grand National Assembly. The President also conferred “Sitar-i-Pakistan” upon Mr. Muhammet Balta, Chairman of the Environment Commission in Turkish Parliament and former President of Turkey-Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group. The President of Pakistan also conferred “Sitara-i-Imtiaz” upon Dr. Selami Kiliç who is the head of foreign relations division at the Turkish Ministry of Health. Due to his overseas visit, Dr. Selami will receive the award later. The awards were conferred upon the Turkish dignitaries for their services for promoting and strengthening Pakistan-Turkey relations.
Addressing guests at the ceremony, Ambassador Syrus Qazi lauded the invaluable services and contributions of the veteran parliamentarians Ali Şahin and Muhammet Balta towards further cementing Pakistan-Turkey relations. Noting that Pakistan-Turkey relationship has been nurtured by enormous efforts of our earlier generations, Ambassador Qazi said the responsibility lies with us to further strengthen it and pass this sacred trust to our younger generations.
Mr. Ali Şahin and Muhammet Balta in their remarks thanked the Government of Pakistan for the conferment of these prestigious awards on them. They reiterated the resolve to continue their efforts for the promotion of Pakistan-Turkey brotherly ties.
Citations of the dignitaries were read out. Mr. Ali Şahin is a seasoned politician belonging to the AK Party. He completed his Bachelors and Masters from University of Karachi and speaks fluent Urdu. As a true friend and well-wisher of Pakistan, he considers himself to be Pakistani. He has rendered innumerable services for strengthening Pakistan-Turkey relations throughout his political career.
Hailing from Trabzon, Muhammet Balta is a seasoned politician from the AK Party. He is a strong proponent of friendship with Pakistan in the Turkish Parliament. He also served as the Chair of Turkey-Pakistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and made outstanding contributions towards furthering the Inter-Parliamentary relations between the two countries and went out of this way to play host to visiting parliamentary delegations from Pakistan. Mr. Balta is also a strong voice against the atrocities committed by Indian forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir on different platforms.
Minister for Justice of Turkey Abdulhamit GÜL, members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, senior Turkish political personalities and media attended the event.