ISLAMABAD: The prize distribution ceremony of Chughtai Art Awards 2022 was held in Adana, Turkey on Tuesday.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid and governor of Adana Dr Suleyman Elban were the chief guests of the event which was also attended by Pakistan Honorary Investment Advisor in Adana Erkan Aslan, officials from Pakistan Embassy and Provincial Directorate of National Education, Adana, students, their parents and teachers.

Named after renowned Pakistani artist Abdul Rahman Chughtai, Pakistan Embassy has been organising the Chughtai Art Competition among high school students in Turkiye since 2011. In 2022, the competition was held in Adana under the theme `75 years ofPakistan Turkiye Diplomatic Relations` as both countries celebrated ties on Nov 30, 2022.

Previously, the competition was organised in the provinces of Ankara, Konya, Bursa and Biltis.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid said that Pakistan and Turkiye`s spe cial relationship was embedded in common cultural, religious and spiritual heritage, transcending boundaries of time, geography and politics.

`There are countless accounts, when the two countries have stood for each other. Whether it was Pakistan`s political, diplomatic and moral support for Turkish Cypriots or Turkiye raising its voice at the global forums in support of Kashmiris, the list was long and reflective of our brotherhood,` hesaid.

While admiring the creativity, talent and hard work of participating students, Ambassador Junaid said that he was glad to see the impressive depiction of PakistanTurkiye brotherhood by students in their paintings. `I am delighted to see that our younger generation values this exemplary friendship, as they should. The paintings displayed here, say it all,` he added.

The painting by Heja Inci of Ismail Safa Ozler Anadolu Lisesi won the first prize, Yil Anadolu Lisesi was second and Cagla Zengin of Karyaka Orhan Çobanoglu Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi won the third position. Busra Haktan Acis, Zerda Pehlivan and Ayda Ozturk won the title of `Emerging Artist`. Staf f Reporter