ANKARA, Turkey: The Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey 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 Dr. Arif Alvi had conferred the prestigious “Sitar-i-Pakistan” upon Ali Sahin, the President of Turkey-Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group in Turkish Grand National Assembly.
The president also conferred “Sitar-i-Pakistan” upon Muhammet Balta, the Chairman of the Environment Commission in the Turkish Parliament and former President of Turkey-Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group.
President Dr. Arif Alvi 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.
While addressing guests at the ceremony, Ambassador Syrus Qazi lauded the invaluable services and contributions of the veteran parliamentarians Ali Sahin 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.
In their remarks, Ali Sahin and Muhammet Balta 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 readout.
Ali Sahin is a seasoned politician belonging to the AK Party. He completed his Bachelor and Masters from the 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.
Muhammet Balta 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.
Muhammet Balta is also a strong voice against the atrocities committed by Indian forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir on different platforms.
The Minister for Justice of Turkey Abdulhamit GÜL, members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, senior Turkish political personalities, and media attended the event.
