ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) on Commander Turkish Air Force, General Akin Ozturk, in a special investiture ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The President conferred the award on General Ozturk in recognition of his role and outstanding services for promoting the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Turkey.

The citation read on the occasion said: "General Akin Ozturk being an accomplished military leader and a distinguished aviator, has personally broadened the scope of interaction and played a significant role in promoting and strengthening the bonds of goodwill and cooperation between the Air Forces of Pakistan and Turkey."

The investiture ceremony was attended among others by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Secretary Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Dr. Nazir Saeed and Federal Tax Ombudsman Abdul Rauf Chaudhry. Turkish ambassador to Pakistan Sadik Babur Girgin and senior officials of Turkish embassy were also present.

Later, General Akin Ozturk called on President Mamnoon along with his delegation and discussed matters relating to the bilateral relations of Pakistan and Turkey particularly defence cooperation.

General Akin Ozturk thanked the President and government of Pakistan for decorating him with Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) and assured that defence cooperation between the two countries would be strengthened.

Source: APP