Naveed Ahmad Khan
ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday hailed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a visionary leader of the Muslim world, praising his unwavering commitment to global Muslim causes and the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the book “Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: Tiger of the Islamic World” by Dr. Furqan Hameed. Minister Tarar paid tribute to President Erdogan’s political journey—from his transformative tenure as Mayor of Istanbul to his leadership of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The event is organized by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), in collaboration with the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) and the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Friendship Forum (TAPF).Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan Dr Irfan Neziroglu, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan Zafar Akhmedov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Pakistan, Fatou Harerimana, Dr Farhat Asif, the President of IPDS among others.
Tarar described Erdogan as a “people’s leader and an effective administrator,” whose governance continues to inspire admiration across the Muslim Ummah. The Minister praised President Erdogan’s grassroots leadership and his transformative tenure as Mayor of Istanbul. He highlighted Türkiye’s historic bond with Pakistan and Erdogan’s humanitarian efforts—especially during crises.
Highlighting the flourishing Pak-Turk friendship, Tarar cited landmark collaborative projects such as the Lahore Metro Bus and the city’s waste management initiative, developed during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab. He emphasized that bilateral ties between the two nations are built upon a history of mutual support and shared humanitarian values, dating back to the Khilafat Movement.
Tarar noted the emotional bond between the citizens of both countries, recalling how Turkish people celebrated Pakistan’s recent victory over India in the streets of Istanbul and Ankara. “From natural disasters to moments of national pride, our people have stood together, united in empathy and joy,” he said.
The Minister praised Erdogan’s strong voice on global Muslim issues—especially his outspoken advocacy for Palestine on platforms such as the United Nations, the D-8 Summit, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He saluted Erdogan’s powerful advocacy for Gaza across international platforms, calling him a global leader whose actions reflect deep moral commitment.
He condemned the ongoing humanitarian blockade in Gaza, labeling it a “catastrophic violation of basic human rights,” and lauded Türkiye’s swift response to refugee crises under Erdogan’s direction.
Tarar also recognized Pakistan’s own efforts in providing humanitarian aid and educational opportunities for Palestinian students, reiterating the nation’s commitment to justice and solidarity. “Pakistan will continue to stand by Palestine through aid, advocacy, and prayer,” he affirmed.
Describing the Pak-Turk relationship as “unbreakable,” Tarar underscored its ideological foundation built on compassion, resilience, and mutual respect. He called President Erdogan the “tiger of the world”—a title earned through decades of dedicated leadership and global outreach—and praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vocal support for Palestine at international forums.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister congratulated Dr. Furqan Hameed for his timely and heartfelt tribute to President Erdogan, reaffirming that Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation committed to regional integrity and international harmony.
Dr. Farhat Asif, President of IPDS, said that the launch of “Recep Tayyip Erdogan-The Tiger of Islamic World”, authored by their esteemed friend and scholar Dr. Furqan Hameed, was not just a literary event but an occasion to reflect on the values of courage, leadership, unity, and vision—values that President Erdogan has come to symbolize for millions around the world.
She thanked the Director General of NLPD and all collaborators for making the event successful, and expressed her gratitude to the distinguished guests and participants for their presence.
In his address, Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Director General of NLPD, said that the purpose of the ceremony was to acknowledge and encourage the efforts of a person who has worked to strengthen the ties between these two brotherly nations through his columns and writings.
“This recognition will help further solidify these ties. It was an important literary, academic, and cultural event which proved to be very successful,” he added proudly. He concluded by thanking all the honored guests and attendees for their active participation.
In his remarks, Dr. Furqan Hameed, Head of Urdu Service at TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation), columnist, writer, and senior journalist, said that his book is a tribute to President Erdogan’s leadership and constructive approach.
He shared that Erdogan began his journey as the Mayor of Istanbul, transforming the city through modernization. Dr. Hameed added that Erdogan holds deep affection for Pakistan and often recites the poetry of Allama Iqbal, his favorite poet, at his public gatherings. He considers Pakistan his second home after Türkiye.
“This book will help further strengthen the bond between Türkiye and Pakistan,” Dr. Furqan Hameed said, thanking all the distinguished guests for attending the launch.
At the conclusion of the event, he presented copies of the book to Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar, the Ambassador of Türkiye, and other esteemed guests.
