Minister of State for Education & Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, stated on Wednesday that friendship and bond of sincere brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye formed the foundation for lasting partnership, common desire for global peace and left a course for coming generations to follow.
She was addressing as Chief Guest the prize distribution ceremony of a painting competition (for children of different age groups) held at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye. The painting contest was organized by the Yunus Emre Institute and Education Counselor office on the theme of Pakistan-Türkiye friendship. The painting competition was held in connection with Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
The host and Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, Dr Irfan Nezıroğlu also addressed on the occasion and praised the child artists for painting the Türkiye-Pakistan Brotherhood on canvas.
Head of the Pakistan Chapter of the Yunus Emre Institute, Dr. Halil Tokar along with the contesting artists and their parents was also present on the occasion.
Wajiha Qamar said that the friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye was not bound by time or circumstances. This is why both brotherly nations assist one another in times of trial, as if they are one and the same entity.
The sincere role played by Türkiye during the recent Pakistan-India conflict reaffirmed this partnership.
She congratulated the Yunus Emre Institute for organizing the painting competition and described it as a creative effort to pass on the sincere love between the two nations to future generations — an initiative that should continue. She also congratulated the students who won in the competition.
Earlier in his address, Ambassador Dr Irfan Nezıroğlu congratulated the award-winning students. He expressed his pleasure at the fact that an overwhelming number of submissions was received—1,500 entries. They are not just paintings but a vivid representation of the deep friendship between the two brotherly countries. He added that the children have given us new hope through the power of their imagination.
Dr. Halil Tokar remarked that Pakistan and Türkiye may be two countries, but they share one nation within. The Yunus Emre Institute will continue to work toward fostering cultural unity between them.
