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KARACHI, Oct 30 (APP): The University of Karachi hosted a one-day seminar and photo exhibition in celebration of the Republic Day of Türkiye.
The event, titled “Pakistan and the Republic of Türkiye: Relations from Past to Present”, was organized by the Yunus Emre Institute for Turkish Language at the University of Karachi on Thursday and held at the KU’s Audiovisual Center.
Speaking at the occasion, Türkiye’s Consul General in Karachi, Ergül Kadak, paid tribute to the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and respectfully remembered all those who contributed to the establishment and stability of modern Türkiye.
He began his address by commending President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership, which has positioned Türkiye as an effective international mediator and strengthened global partnerships, especially the special bond with Pakistan.
“Pakistan is one of our key and strategic partners. This is reflected not only in our current cooperation but also in the projects we aim to advance in the future. Under the leadership of the President of Türkiye and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, bilateral relations have grown stronger across education, culture, and other sectors—extending well beyond defense.”
He emphasized that the day was a celebration of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and deep cultural ties. He noted the symbolic gestures of admiration: the Turkish people’s reverence for Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the Pakistani people’s deep respect for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. “These are bright symbols of the brotherly relations between our nations.”
The Turkish CG Ergül Kadak highlighted that Turkish language courses offered in Karachi are not limited to language instruction but serve as a medium for promoting Turkish culture.
On this occasion, KU’s Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stated that the friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye is built on historical foundations. “In my view, the guiding principle of this friendship was laid by the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who emphasized the need for stronger mutual understanding and relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.”
He remarked that the world is moving toward a multipolar global system, and in such a scenario, Pakistan and Türkiye can play significant roles not only regionally but also internationally. He cited recent visits by delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Türkiye aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
He informed the audience that Türkiye’s achievements in economic development, political stability, technology, and education can serve as a model for Pakistan. “Friendship is not built on claims alone—it is strengthened by learning from each other and progressing together.”
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi expressed the university’s desire to introduce a new academic program in Disaster Management, a field currently not offered by any institution in Pakistan. He requested support from the Turkish Consulate General, noting Türkiye’s expertise and professional capacity in this domain.
He emphasized the importance of language as a vital tool for public and diplomatic engagement between nations. He said that promoting language learning can further strengthen ties between the people of both countries.
The seminar featured scholarly presentations by Dr Faisal Awan from KU’s Department of International Relations, and Dr Uzma Farman the Chairperson of the Urdu Department, who spoke on the historical context and enduring friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye. Muhammad Karatas and Elam Ali Tipu Turkish instructors from the Yunus Emre Institute, and students who have completed Turkish language courses also shared their perspectives.
Earlier, Professor Dr Tanzim-ul-Firdous, Focal Person of the Yunus Emre Institute for Turkish Language at the University of Karachi, delivered the welcome address. She noted that the exemplary relations between Pakistan and Türkiye have always been noteworthy and continue to attract global attention.