Türkiye’s first envoy to Pakistan remembered

Portraits highlighting Beyatli's work as a diplomat displayed at an exhibition

KARACHI:

Diplomats, academics, politicians, and journalists gathered on Sunday to pay homage to renowned poet, writer, diplomat, and Turkiye's first ambassador to Pakistan, Yahya Kemal Beyatli.

The huddle was organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, at the opening ceremony of a three-day portrait exhibition to highlight the work of one of the leading representatives of Turkish poetry in the Republican period, whose poetry and prose inspired generations.

Scores of portraits highlighting Beyatli's work as a diplomat in different periods of his age were displayed at the exhibition, which attracted a large number of art and poetry lovers on the first day. Beyatli served as Ankara's top diplomat to the then-newly-born Pakistan from 1947 to 1949. He had been stationed in Karachi, the country's then-capital.

One of the portraits contained the message from the country's founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah to Beyatli at the time of his appointment as ambassador to Pakistan in 1947.

"We hope that with your Excellency's assistance and cooperation, we may be able to build up closer political and diplomatic ties with your state, and thus contribute our share to the attainment of peace and prosperity throughout the world," the message read.

Addressing the ceremony, provincial Law Minister Omer Soomro said that Beyatli's work highlights his love not only for Türkiye but the humanity, bringing different cultures together.

He pointed out one of his poems that particularly depicts his love for Istanbul.

Turkish Consul General in Karachi Cemal Sangu thanked Arts Council for arranging the exhibition and providing an opportunity for the younger generation to dive into the rich history of diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.

ACP President Ahmad Shah observed that although diplomatic relations between the two countries are spread over 75 years, their association based on similar cultural, and religious values, is centuries old.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2023.