Islamabad, In a significant display of bilateral ties, President Asif Ali Zardari today awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) to General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, during a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr. This prestigious military honor recognized General Bayraktaroglu’s efforts in strengthening defense relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the award ceremony was followed by a detailed meeting between President Zardari and General Bayraktaroglu, which was also attended by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir. The discussions focused on further enhancing the defense cooperation between the two nations, which both parties agreed should be expanded for mutual benefit.
During the meeting, President Zardari expressed pride in Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with Turkiye, highlighting the consistent support from Turkiye on crucial issues. He noted several collaborative projects currently underway that aim to deepen these bilateral ties. President Zardari also emphasized the importance of increasing people-to-people contact and cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, education, art, and culture to bring the citizens of both countries closer together.
He specifically appreciated Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his friendship and personal commitment to strengthening the relationship, citing recent communications that underscored this dedication.
In his response, General Bayraktaroglu reiterated his commitment to enhancing the defense collaboration, suggesting that both countries have significant roles to play in promoting regional peace and stability. He expressed gratitude for the recognition of his efforts through the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) and assured his continued dedication to bolstering the defense ties between Pakistan and Turkiye.
The ceremony concluded with President Zardari congratulating General Bayraktaroglu on his award and expressing hope that his efforts would further solidify the defense cooperation between the two allied countries.