Pakistani students praise Turkey visit

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Pakistani students are thanking and praising Turkish authorities for their hospitality during their stay in Istanbul last month.

Ten Pakistani students took part in the 10th International Peace Bread Festival on April 18-24 as guests of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) -- Turkey’s state-run aid agency -- and Istanbul’s Esenler Municipality.

"Turkish people are very kind-hearted, polite and helpful," Fatima Ali, a Pakistani student, said in a letter she sent to TIKA’s office in Islamabad, the capital, after her return.

Turkey is itself a very beautiful country, she added, calling it “amazing.”

All the returning students sent letters to Gokhan Umut, TIKA’s coordinator in Islamabad, to thank the group and the Turkish government for arranging their visit.

Most of the Pakistani students in the program were from schools for orphans. Students from other countries including Sudan, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Palestine, and Afghanistan also participated.

"I met a lot of people from around the world during the festival and I really enjoyed the moments spent there," said Saliha Mushtaq, one of the Pakistani students.

She praised the TIKA officials, calling them very friendly and loving people.

Most of the students, from poor backgrounds, were going abroad for the first time.

"This was my dream to visit Turkey, as we love Turkish people and I am thankful to TIKA, which fulfilled my dream," Mooiza, another student, wrote in her letter.

The students praised Turkey’s beauty as well as its people.

"I saw the Turkish people are very disciplined, they love their culture and country and respect others," observed Mohammad Yasin, a student from Mansehra.

During their stay in Istanbul, TIKA arranged numerous activities, including visits to historical sites for all the students coming from different countries.

"We really enjoyed the visits to historical places, and Turkey has very great history and culture," wrote Chand Ahmad from the Attock district.

“I saw Turkish people have great love for Pakistanis, and I want to say thank you very much to my Turkish brothers and sisters,” he added.