Turkiye to Establish Cultural Centers in Sindh Libraries

Wed May 22 2024
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Staff Reporter
Turkiye to Establish Cultural Centers in Sindh Libraries
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KARACHI: Turkish Consul General in Karachi, Cemal Sangu Wednesday met with Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Sindh’s Provincial Minister of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Archives, and discussed ways of enhancing bilateral tourism and cultural matters.

During the meeting, the Turkish Consul General revealed plans by the Turkish government to establish cultural centers in libraries across Sindh. Initially, a cultural center will be set up at the Liaquat Memorial Library, followed by the establishment of similar centers at divisional-level libraries in the second phase. Moreover, the Turkish government intends to provide scholarships for undergraduate students to study in Turkiye.

The Provincial Minister appreciates Turkiye’s initiatives, highlighting the importance of fostering accessibility to diverse cultures between both nations. Emphasizing the significance of historical, religious, and cultural tourism in Sindh on a global scale, he underscored the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen friendly relations and promote bilateral tourism and culture between Turkiye and Pakistan.

The meeting was also attended by Halil Ibrahim Basaran, Regional Head of TIKA Karachi; Ejaz Sheikh, Director General of Libraries; and Fayaz Shah, Managing Director of Sindh Tourism Development Corporation.

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Afghanistan continues to pose multiple security threats to neighborly countries. Afghan interim government commonly known as the Taliban regime recently celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover of Kabul. Taliban’s speedy takeover and the quick meltdown of the Ashraf Ghani regime both are remembered as meaningful surprising events in the checkered history of Afghanistan. The subsequent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan triggered numerous intriguing questions. The apparent hasty withdrawal of American forces though celebrated as a victory by the Taliban however it could not bring any stability to Afghanistan. Though withdrawal took place under Joe Biden’s watch, however, the grounds were prepared by the Trump administration prior to leaving the white house consequent to election defeat. The arrival of the Taliban in Kabul as an uncontested force on 15th Aug 2021 made the whole American campaign a shadowy affair stretched over almost two decades. Critiques are justified in questioning the outcome of such a lengthy military and political campaign orchestrated by the USA in Afghanistan. No satisfactory response has ever surfaced from the State Department and Pentagon sides about the quick meltdown of the Afghan National Army. It is obvious that the surprisingly expeditious winding up of the Ashraf Ghani regime further exposed the weaknesses of the whole American prescription applied to heal Afghanistan. The multiple damaging effects of the ill-conceived strategy on the war-torn society of Afghanistan are not too difficult to understand. Present-day Afghanistan is more polarized and unsettled under the Taliban’s unelected regime. The demolition of the political façade in August 2021 was not a sudden development but rather a much-expected outcome of the dubious Doha agreement. 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