ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday conferred Hilal-i-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan), the country’s second-highest civil award, on Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in recognition of his services for international peace and security and strengthening of bilateral ties.
The ceremony was held at President House, Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Information and Broadcast Senator Shibli Faraz, diplomats and senior officials were in attendance.
Reading out the citation, Cabinet Division Secretary Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera recounted the services of the top Turkish diplomat for enriching the bilateral ties. He further said, in his capacity as Turkish foreign minister, Cavusoglu had taken various initiatives to promote durable peace and security.
Moreover, he also played a vital role in strengthening brotherly ties between Islamabad and Ankara and its transformation into a strategic partnership.
After the investiture, Cavusoglu also introduced two renowned Turkish actors including Nurettin Sönmez, known for his role as Bamsi Beyrek in Ertugrul and Ayberk Pekcan, who played Artuk Bey. The celebrities were warmly received by the audience.
Cavusoglu is visiting Islamabad for the second Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Meeting scheduled to be held later today.
Prior to the investiture ceremony, he called on President Alvi and discussed the bilateral as well as regional matters of mutual interest.
The award is conferred to recognise the meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan, or cultural, social contribution.
Among other receivers of the honour include US president-elect Joe Biden, Dr Ruth Pfau, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and former Chinese ambassador to Islamabad Yao Jing.
