Islamabad: A captivating performance depicting various facets of Pakistani culture enthralled a large audience in Ankara, Turkey.
The event “Pakistan Night” was a part of the 6th international Ramazan festivities, organised by the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara.
Chairman of Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Association and AK Party Member Parliament from Van Burhan Kayatrk, ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Sohail Mahmood performed the opening ceremony of Pakistan House.
A diverse range of Pakistani products including coffee table books, textiles, traditional handicrafts, dresses, truck art, photographic display of Turkey-Pakistan relations and tourism materials will be on display till July 6, said a message received on Sunday.
During the ceremony, Mahmood presented national dress of Pakistan to Mayor Mustafa Ak.
The ambassador highlighted the special nature of Pakistan-Turkey relations and the immortal bonds between the two nations, nurtured by each successive generation.
He added that the promotion of bilateral cultural collaboration and people-to-people exchanges were among the key priorities of both the governments.
The ambassador also thanked Turkey, particularly the Mayor and people of Ke‡i”ren, for planting trees in memory of the school children and staff martyred in a brutal terrorist attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School in December 2014.
Burhan Kayaturk in his speech referred to longstanding relations between Pakistan and Turkey, noting that the works of Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal also highlighted the love and affection between the two peoples.
He referred to the support extended by the Muslims of the sub-continent to the Turkish nation during its War of Independence.
Mayor Mustafa Ak highlighted the importance of international festivities programme, saying that it helped bring friendly countries even closer.
He expressed special delight at Pakistan’s participation in the festivities.
Later, students from Pakistan Embassy School and others studying at various universities in Ankara presented a cultural show.
The performances portrayed the rich and diverse cultures of the four provinces of Pakistan which was applauded by the audience.