Islamabad (TDI): Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, highlighted the deep bond between Pakistan and Turkiye, noting that while the two countries do not share a border, they are united in spirit.
“Pakistanis and Turks are like one nation; their hearts beat together,” he remarked during a conference on “Pakistan-Turkiye Friendship: In the Context of Iqbal’s Thought” organized at the Allama Iqbal Open University to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Ambassador Neziroglu expressed that Pakistan is considered a second home by Turks, and Pakistanis similarly regard Turkiye as their second homeland.
“Turkie is Pakistan, and Pakistan is Turkiye,” he stated, adding that Turkiye provides scholarships for Pakistani students and aims to increase these opportunities.
Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Vice-Chancellor of AIOU, described the Pakistan-Turkiye friendship as a model of global unity, urging students to adopt Iqbal’s philosophy of “Khudi” (selfhood) for personal and national development.
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The session featured speeches from distinguished guests, including Director General of the National Language Promotion Department Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar; Professor Dr. Zafar Hussain Zafar; Turkish Embassy Educational Attaché Dr. Mehmet Tuyran; Dr. Khalil Tokar, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute; and Dr. Syed Shiraz Ali Zaidi, Head of the Department of Iqbaliyat at AIOU.
Dr. Khalil Tokar stressed the importance of passing down the deep ties between the two nations to future generations, paying tribute to Iqbal’s admiration for the Turkish people.
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Professor Dr. Zafar Hussain Zafar reflected on Iqbal’s enduring solidarity with Turkiye, noting his consistent support for the nation.
The conference, part of AIOU’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, underscored the values and mutual support that have cemented Pakistan-Turkiye ties, earning them global recognition for their enduring loyalty and friendship.
