ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (WNP): The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, in collaboration with the National Book Foundation (NBF) of Pakistan and the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, on Tuesday hosted the prize distribution ceremony of the National Essay Writing Competition 2025, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting academic excellence and deepening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.

The ceremony brought together senior government officials, diplomats, academics and students, including Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Pakistan Dr. İrfan Neziroğlu, Managing Director of the National Book Foundation Dr. Kamran Jahangir, representatives of educational and cultural institutions, teachers, parents and participants from universities across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Neziroğlu said the competition was launched with two central objectives: to celebrate the centuries-old fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye, and to honour the memory of Turkish engineers Cenk Yakin and Ufuk Arslan, who lost their lives during a relief mission in Balakot following the devastating 2005 earthquake.

He noted that their sacrifice symbolised the spirit of solidarity and selfless cooperation that defines ties between the two nations.

Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s historic visit to Islamabad last year, the Ambassador said both countries had agreed to establish a “Shura of Fraternity” to further strengthen cooperation in social, cultural and academic spheres. He described the essay competition as a tangible manifestation of that shared vision, providing young Pakistanis with a platform to reflect on and contribute to the bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Neziroğlu also paid tribute to shared heroes and historical figures who shaped the common legacy of the two countries, including Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the Ali Brothers of the Khilafat Movement and Abdurrahman Peshawari. He stressed the importance of passing this shared heritage on to future generations through education, research and cultural exchange, and congratulated all participating students and prize winners for their creativity, insight and dedication.

He expressed appreciation for Anatolia Travel Services for facilitating visa-related services and acknowledged the contributions of Halil Toker, Country Director of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, for his role in promoting cultural diplomacy and strengthening bilateral ties.

In her remarks, Minister of State Wajiha Qamar welcomed the distinguished guests and commended the Embassy of Türkiye and its partners for organising what she described as a meaningful and timely initiative. She said Pakistan–Türkiye relations are rooted in shared history, faith, values and mutual respect, representing a unique model of people-to-people brotherhood in international relations.

Highlighting the role of youth and writing in shaping national and international narratives, the Minister encouraged students to see themselves as future diplomats, scholars and leaders who would carry forward and deepen Pakistan–Türkiye ties.

She also praised Türkiye’s scholarship opportunities and academic exposure for Pakistani students, noting that such exchanges broaden perspectives and foster lifelong bonds between societies.

Reaffirming the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to international academic collaboration, Wajiha Qamar said education remains the strongest bridge between nations. She urged students to continue reading, writing and learning foreign languages—particularly Turkish—and to engage confidently with global cultures.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, prizes were awarded to the top performers: Maryam Batool of Akhuwat College for Women, Chakwal, received the first prize; Izza Naeem of the University of Management and Technology, Lahore, secured second place; and Muhammad Aariz Zafar of the Pakistan Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, won the third prize.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to further strengthen Pakistan–Türkiye friendship through education, culture and youth engagement, reaffirming that the relationship between the two nations remains a timeless and enduring bond.