President confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Turkish armed forces Commander
President Mamnoon Hussain conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Hulusi Akar, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces in a special ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Wednesday.
The President decorated General Hulusi Akar, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces in recognition of his outstanding services and contributions in deepening and strengthening relations between the Armed forces of Pakistan and Turkey and for enhancing strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The special investiture ceremony was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Secretary Defence and Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan.
Later, General Hulusi Akar called on President Mamnoon Hussain and discussed matters of mutual interest. The President congratulated Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces on being conferred with Nishan-i-Imtiaz (M) and appreciated his services in strengthening relations between the two brotherly countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain conveyed his condolences on the suicidal attacks in Istanbul and Ankara and highlighted Pakistan's commitment in eradicating extremism through National Action Plan and operation Zarb-e-Azb.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that the people of Pakistan and Turkey are bound together in very old and strong bonds of brotherhood based on shared religious, cultural and historical affinities. The President reiterated Pakistan's strong desire to further strengthen its partnership with Turkey in defence. The President also lauded the democratic initiatives of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Republic of Turkey.
The President appreciated the Turkish participation in trilateral process for bringing peace in Afghanistan and reiterated Pakistan's desire for peaceful and stable Afghanistan through Afghan owned and Afghan led peace process.
General Hulusi Akar, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces thanked the President and the Government of Pakistan on being awarded with NI (M) and hoped that bilateral relations between the two countries would be taken to new heights in the future.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain said that the "Ten Year Plan" developed by COMSTECH for the development of science and technology in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states will help improve the general living standards of the common people.
The President said this in a meeting with the Coordinator General of the OIC's Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Wednesday.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan is playing a leading role in science and technology in the Muslim world and much needed attention in all relevant areas is essential for further improvement. The President lauded the "Ten Year Plan" developed by COMSTECH for the promotion of science and technology and suggested that to gain maximum benefit from such initiatives they need to be implemented carefully so that each Islamic country can adopt it according to their own circumstances.
On this occasion, the Coordinator General of COMSTECH Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan apprised the President on preparations for the forthcoming meetings of COMSTECH's Executive Council and General Assembly. The President directed that complete preparation must be made for these meetings so that concrete measures can be taken for the promotion of scientific and technological cooperation between Islamic countries and the Muslim world.