Salahuddin Haider
The Turkish Consul General Tolga UCAK proudly announced at a reception he had hosted to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the proclamation of Turkey as Republic that his country and Pakistan were ‘true brothers for all season’ and the fraternal bonds cementing them together will continue to grow from strength to strength.
The reception was remarkable for a number of reasons. It say a delightful turn out of an array of diplomats, a while long line of them, business elite, media representatives, including Editor in Chief of Pakistan Observer Faisal Zahid Malik, and several others.
In front of a special line drawn for important peoples, sat some 100 people including UK Deputy High Commissioner, Italian consul Anna Fiona, Darrian Arky of US consulate general, Qatar Consul general MIshal M AL-Ansari, his counterparts from Oman, and couple of more Arab countries, consuls general of Bangla Desh Noor-e-Helal Saifur Rehman, who is also the doyen of diplomatic corps in Karachi, Japanese counterparts Toshikazu Isumura with his lovely and extremely hospitable wife, German consul general Eugen Wollfarth, Korean, and Thailand counterparts Bongsu PARK, Irani consul general Mohammad Mohammadi, his number two, Russian consul general Alexandr G. Khozin and his pretty wife, Sri Lankan consul general and a host of others, including acting Indonesian consul Genera, his number one Totak Prianamto being on home vacation.
The guests, in quite large numbers were treated to delightful instrumental music from a party specially from Turkey, courtesy Turkish Airline, while a group of young girls sang the national anthems of the two countries which was well applauded. Among other prominent guests were Kalim Farooqui President of Arts Council of Pakistan Ahmed Shah and many others.
It was warm, and lavish, in character with savory dinner. Sindh’s information minister Saeed Ghani was chief gues. For the first time it became know that even chief minister can hold acting post. Prime Ministers and others do not enjoy such protocol, reserved only for President of the country, during his absence from the country.
In his speech, the consul general praised Karachi for being a lively and hospitable city, saying Turkish business companies were interested in energy sector, and in developing education and other relevant segments of economy. The trade since 2017 has recorded 1r percent rise, and expected to grow faster. Tolga is a lovely person, highly courteous, pleasant smile playing on his face all the time and he greets people with love and affection.
He felt happy that persistent rise in number of Pakistanis visiting his country, was well on record.
In the last 8 months of this year, 86,000 Pakistanis have visited his country. He paid eloquent tributes to Mustafa Kamal Ata Turk and Quaide Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah for being great leaders and statesmen.
