Pakistan's new ambassador pays tribute to Atatürk

Pakistan's newly appointed ambassador to Ankara on Wednesday paid tribute to Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at his mausoleum, the Anitkabir.

As part of the official oath-taking ceremony Syrus Sajjad Qazi along with officials of the Pakistan Embassy, their families and students of the embassy's school observed a minute of silence for Ataturk, the first president of Turkey.

The ambassador laid a floral wreath on Atatürk's tomb as students waved Pakistani and Turkish flags.

"As Pakistan's new Ambassador to Turkey, it is a great honor to visit Anıtkabir and pay my respect to Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk-a soldier, statesman, reformer and founder of the Republic of Turkey," Qazi wrote in the visitor's book at Anıtkabir.

"Turkey and Pakistan enjoy a friendship that is unique and unparalleled in international relations. Friendship with Turkey is in Pakistan's blood. As Ambassador of Pakistan, I look forward to humbly contributing to this relationship which is a sacred trust nurtured by our forefathers. Long Live Pakistan-Turkey Brotherhood," he added in his comments.

The ambassador presented his letter of credentials to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday.