Turkish Foreign Minister MevlutCavusoglu, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Governor Imran Ismail jointly inaugurated Turkey’s new consulate building here on Thursday.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Murad Ali Shah said that Pakistan’s relationship with Turkey pre-dates the independence of both states.
He said that under the British rule, the Muslims of India regarded the OttomanSultan as their Caliph and Muslim freedom fighters led the Khilafat Movement to collect donations, assisting their Turkish brethren in their struggle for independence.
DuringTurkey’s War of Independence from 1919 to 1923, the Muslims of British India extended their unflinching support to their Turkish brothers by sending financial assistance to the Ottoman Empire, the CM said and added that during the Turkish-Russian War, a notable educationist from Sindh, Mr. Hassanally Effendi mobilized the people of Sindh to help the people of Turkey during the war.
Governor Imran Ismail said the new building was a testament to Turkey’s interest in the country and especially in Karachi.Turkish companies have expressed interest in investing in Pakistan.“ We welcome companies based on transfer technology.The world is changing and in this changing world Turkey is emerging as a new tech power.
Minister Cavusoglu said the new building is a symbol of Turkey-Pakistan friendship, which will be further strengthened in days to come. Appreciating the work of Turkish and Pakistani architects, contractors, and workers who took part in the construction of the new building, he said the Turkish Consulate in Karachi will continue to play its role in enhancing the commercial value of the port city.
A mixture of Turkish and Pakistani architecture, the construction of the building began in 2017. Cavusoglu also said 22-story Turkish Consulate building in New York, which is currently under construction, will become operational by the end of this year.
Mentioning Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan’s vision for development, he said it aims to work for the development and prosperity not only of Turkey but also its friendly countries. Turkey’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul and Consul General in Karachi TolgaUcak were also in attendance at the ceremony.
Cavusoglu, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, also visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and laid a floral wreath on his grave. “I commemorate with respect and mercy Quaid-i-AzamMuhammed Ali Jinnah, one of the chief architects of Turkey-Pakistan friendship,” Cavusoglu said in a tweet. Earlier, Turkey’s top diplomat met with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at the Governor House and discussed issues relating to bilateral cooperation in fields of education, health, science and technology, and trade, state-run Pakistan Television reported. Cavusoglu said the Turkish people have a special place in the hearts of Pakistani people as Ankara and Islamabad have always stood together in challenging times. The two nations, he added, will continue to cooperate on all regional and international issues.
Ismail, for his part, thanked Ankara for its longstanding support for Islamabad on Kashmir issues, as well as the ongoing cooperation for the development of health, education, housing, culture, and other sectors in Pakistan.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presents Sindhi musical instrument ‘Damburu’ to Turkish Foreign Minister MevluntCavusoglu here at CM House.
