ANKARA/ISLAMABAD: 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 on Wednesday.
The President of Pakistan had conferred the prestigious “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” upon Prof Dr. Asuman Belen Ozcan, Chairperson and Head of the 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 the heartiest felicitations to the recipients of the Pakistan Civil Awards on this well-deserved honor. He commended their invaluable services to 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 the 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 the Urdu language in Turkiye. As Chairperson and Head of the Department of Urdu Language and Literature, she has taken numerous initiatives for the promotion of Urdu studies in undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs.
She has organized numerous seminars and conferences on the 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 to the Urdu language in Turkiye has contributed tremendously towards the 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 fairground was preserved as ‘Pakistan Pavillion’ and a new boulevard has been named ‘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 the media.
