KARACHI: Turkey’s state-run Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) hosted a “solidarity” iftar in Karachi bringing together government officials, politicians, diplomats and social workers.
The event, held at the Turkish Consulate, was also attended by Sindh governor Kamran Tessori; provincial minister Saeed Ghani; TIKA’s Karachi representative Khalil Ibrahim Basaran; diplomats from Germany, Japan, France, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Vietnam; and a large number of Turkish and Pakistan nationals; apart from the Turkish Consul General Cemal Sangu.
The highlight of the evening was the participation of dozens of children registered under “Agosh” or embrace, an orphanage of a local charity Al-Khidmat Foundation. The children were given the status of special guests.
“Pakistan and Turkey are time-tested friends, who have always stood beside each other in every trying hour,” said Governor Tessori in his remarks.
“This bond will be further strengthened in days and years to come,” he added.
The Turkish consul general, for his part, thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for extending their “great” support after the February 6 twin earthquakes that jolted southern Turkey and parts of neighbouring Syria.
He gave away letters of appreciation to the four volunteers of the Al-Khidmat Foundation who took part in relief and rescue activities in the quake-stricken areas.
“Today is a very special day and we are very much pleased to have here four heroes of the Pakistani search and rescue team who went to Turkey,” he added.
There were more than 80 Pakistani search and rescue workers present in the quake-stricken region early morning on the second day, who saved 28 lives.
A short video about the activities of the Turkish government and NGOs during last year’s super floods across Pakistan was also played.
“Last year, Turkey was the first country to rush to help our brothers and sisters (affected by the floods). And this year Pakistan was one of the first countries that rushed to help us over there,” Sangu said.
