NATIONAL DAY OF TURKEY CELEBRATED

It was heartening to see the ‘house full’ turnout at the reception hosted by the ambassador of Turkey and Mrs Babur Hizlan to celebrate the 86th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic. Both junior and senior diplomats as well as defence attaches and advisors and Pakistanis from many walks of life including armed forces officers attended, all of whom had put aside security concerns to come and congratulate the hosts. The fact that this national day reception had not been cancelled as were some others over the past few weeks, speaks volumes of the determination of the Turkish people to refrain from giving terrorists something to gloat about! As a very attractive embassy official put it, “A national day reception should never be cancelled once it has been scheduled. It sends out a wrong message.” Very well put and was a sentiment echoed by many other guests.

The reception was a grand affair - albeit rather sombre - and was held in the spacious lawns of the embassy, with both levels covered by shamiana canopies to keep out the chill and maybe the rain which had been forecast but did not come to spoil the event. Near the entrance to the first lawn there was a display of photographs which have been taken by well known Pakistani photographers, Javaid Qazi; Attiya Yaldram and Dr Shaukat Malik and showcased the many historical and beautiful sites found all over Turkey. A coffee table book of these pictures has been planned and it will make a good addition to the collection of those who display them in appreciation of their content. The lower level was utilized to serve dinner and this was where most of the guests congregated after a while to enjoy the host’s hospitality.

There were other ministers present but the guest of honour was Minister for Food and Agriculture, Nazar Mohammed Gondal and the cake was cut subsequent to his arrival and after the national anthem of both countries had been played. Before this simple ceremony Ambassador Hizlan expressed condolences on behalf of all Turkish people to those who had been affected by the bomb blast a day earlier in Peshawar and a minutes silence was observed to pay respect to the departed souls, while no music was played during the evening in consideration of the grief at this terrible tragedy.

Unfortunately the minister arrived late because he was in a meeting with president Zardari so he was unable to express the sentiments and congratulations of the people and government of Pakistan - thoughts which he was going to voice in the form of an address to the gathering. In affect it congratulated the Turkish people on this auspicious occasion and traced the ties that bind Pakistanis and Turks in an emotional relationship, the foundations of which were laid by our forefathers. It also expressed appreciation of the fact that the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyab Aradagon, was the first head of a foreign government to visit the earthquake areas in 2005, as well as of his recent visit which was inspiring for the whole Pakistani nation.

This last sentiment was also expressed by many Pakistanis who said the visit of the Turkish prime minister in these testing times was proof that the Turkish people and Pakistanis have strong ties that bind them together in a unique friendship. Some of them were inclined to make comparisons with the visits of other high profile persons who have visited Islamabad recently, not to show solidarity with the Pakistani people but in pursuance of the success of their own objectives.