Islamabad, May 10, 2023 (PPI-OT): 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 honour. 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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