Turkish Republic Day marked

Ambassador of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa Yardakul hosted parliamentarians, military officials and diplomats at an event to celebrate Turkey’s 96th Republic Day.

He welcomed guests by reading excerpts from a message from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“I remember with respect all our heroes starting with Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, who led our nation with centuries of glorious past to the victory in our independence war and to the foundation of our new state,” he said.

He said Turkey aspired to give its next generation the opportunity to fulfill their visions.

Minister for Petroleum Omer Ayub said Turkey and Pakistan were endeavouring to take their rightful place in the comity of nations as developed and progressive nations, who people can better themselves through hard work, and through acquiring knowledge.

“Pakistan is poised at a take off stage,” he said sharing with audience details of companies who see Pakistan as a lucrative market for investments, including the power and petroleum sector that could be worth $120 billion over the next five years.

“Just as Turkey is the gateway to the European Union, Pakistan is the access to Central Asia as well as Africa,” Mr Ayub said.

Canadian envoy opens art exhibition

High Commissioner of Canada Wendy Gilmour inaugurated an exhibition titled Hidden in Plain Sight at the Satrang Gallery, showcasing the works of young Pakistani artists Aliya Husain Ahmad and Mohsin Shaikh.

High Commissioner Gilmour said: “I was very impressed by the creativity and imagination shown by these two artists. It just reinforces to me that Pakistan is full of talent, and how important it is that there are spaces like the Satrang Gallery at Serena to showcase it.”

The gallery’s director, Asma Rashid Khan, said: “This exhibition juxtaposes Mohsin Shaikh’s heavily detailed, large canvases with Aliya Ahmad’s vibrant ceramics. Mohsin’s intricate paintings create the illusion of a chalkboard and brick walls, embellished with different motifs and animal figures representing important moments in his life. Aliya’s ceramics are fanciful and make full use of the sculptural aspect of the forms.”

Hungarian National Day celebrated

Ambassador of Hungary István Szabó hosted a reception for Hungarian National Day featuring a performance by renowned violinist Roby Lakatos and an ensemble.

Mohammad Azam Khan Swati, minister for parliamentary affairs, was invited to the event as chief guest and MOL Executive Vice President Berislav Gašo was the guest of honour.

Ambassador Szabó spoke of the importance of expanding trade cooperation between Pakistan and Hungary, highlighting the role of MOL, a Hungarian company that has been operating in Pakistan for twenty years.

Mr Swati congratulated the embassy and people of Hungary on the occasion and said that the success of MOL in Pakistan should be an example to other Hungarian investors to follow suit. He said that Pakistan has become an attractive investment destination.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2019