Pakistan Civil Awards Investiture Ceremony Held In Ankara

Press Release

Ankara, 10th May 2023

PAKISTAN CIVIL AWARDS INVESTITURE CEREMONY HELD IN ANKARA

Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, H.E. Dr. Yousaf Junaid presented Pakistan Civil Awards to Turkish dignitaries Prof Dr. Asuman Belen Ozcan and Mr. Cahit Yasar Eren on behalf of the President of Pakistan at an investiture ceremony held at Pakistan House Ankara today.

The President of Pakistan had conferred the prestigious “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” upon Prof Dr. Asuman Belen Ozcan, Chairperson and Head of Department of Urdu Language and Literature at Ankara University and “Sitara-i- Pakistan” upon Mr. Cahit Yasar Eren, Honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Izmir. The awards were conferred upon the Turkish dignitaries in recognition of their distinguished services for Pakistan and contribution towards strengthening of Pakistan-Turkiye relations.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid extended heartiest felicitations to the recipients of Pakistan Civil Awards on this well-deserved honor. He commended their invaluable services for Pakistan and their contributions towards further strengthening of Pakistan-Turkiye ties. Noting that centuries old Pakistan Turkiye fraternal relations are embedded in the common religious, cultural, linguistic and spiritual heritage, the ambassador stated that this blessed relationship has been nurtured by sincere dedicated efforts of our earlier generations. Now the responsibility lies with us to further strengthen it and pass this sacred trust to our future generations, he stated.

Prof Dr Asuman Belen Ozcan is among the leading authorities on Urdu language in Turkiye. As Chairperson and Head of Department of Urdu Language and Literature, she has taken numerous initiatives for the promotion of Urdu studies at undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs. She has organized numerous seminars and conferences on Urdu language in Pakistan, Turkiye, Japan and Denmark. Also, she has authored ‘Urdu Prose’, which is the only theoretical book on Urdu literature in Turkiye and is taught as a textbook at the departments of Urdu language and literature at Ankara University. Prof Ozcan’s academic contribution towards Urdu language in Turkiye has contributed tremendously towards reinforcement of already strong cultural and linguistic bonds between Pakistan and Turkiye. She continues her life as a cultural ambassador of Pakistan in Turkiye.

Mr. Cahit Yasar Eren has been serving as the Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Izmir for the last 25 years. Being a successful businessman himself, Mr. Eren has played an important role in connecting the business communities of Pakistan and Turkiye. Beside promoting commercial ties, Mr. Eren has also played an important role in promoting cultural linkages between the two countries. Owing to his efforts, a pavilion located in Izmir’s historical fair ground was preserved as ‘Pakistan Pavillion’ and a new boulevard has been named as ‘Pakistan Boulevard’ by the Izmir Municipality. He continues as a Consul General of Pakistan in Izmir, rendering valuable services for the promotion of Pakistan Turkiye friendship and brotherhood.

The ceremony was attended by Governor Ankara H.E Vasip Sahin, Turkish dignitaries, prominent businessmen and representatives of media.

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in 2023

# Awards

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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