Category: Pakistan

Solen Istanbul — a treat from Turkey

Spicy Turkish dishes including Lahmacun and Kofta Izgara delighted people. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

KARACHI: A Turkish man’s gastronomical obsession, a bit of dreaming and a great deal of destiny is what brought Turkish restaurant Solen Istanbul to Pakistan.

Restaurateur Mehmet Celal Ulutatar came to Karachi to set up a business venture, and realised during his stay how much potential the port city has. “I see a lot of potential in Karachi for Solen Istanbul. Destiny brought me here,” said Ulutatar at the opening of his restaurant at Dolmen City Mall in Clifton on Friday.

Solen Istanbul, which is a chain of restaurants, has five outlets in Turkey’s capital Istanbul. At the event, the excited Turkish Consul General Murat M Onart said that he had been hoping that a Turkish restaurant would open in the city. “It is sheer luck. Whatever I dream of becomes true. It was just a dream which has finally become a reality.”

Guests present at the event were treated to Turkish delicacies, including Lahmacun — a round, thin piece of dough flattened and topped with minced meat and chopped vegetables. The herbs included onions, tomatoes and parsley and the bread was baked to perfection. Turkish pizza, made by stuffing pita bread with spicy minced meat, red tomatoes and bell pepper was also served to guests who kept asking for more.

Chefs, Abdullah, Abdul Hakim and Omar Farooq were specially flown into Karachi to train the staff. The local crew was taught to cook Turkish cuisine including Kofta Izgara (grilled meatballs) and Sutlac (rice pudding).

Onart, who is very hopeful of the restaurant’s success said, “Pakistanis would love the splendours of Turkish cuisine — we are as obsessed with food as them!” Endorsing his statement, Ulutatar added, “I hope that people find the food extraordinary for their taste buds.” He also recommended that people try Iskender, a Turkish shawarma.

Among the locals present at the event to host the Turkish expats was Talha Nawabi, who said, “It is surely going to be a treat for those who enjoy Turkish cuisine.” Nawabi added that people are losing interest in fast food and that Solen Istanbul will become a hit because most of the meat is grilled.

For Pakistanis accustomed to spicy and chatpata food, Turkish cuisine may seem a little bland. Authentic Turkish food concentrates on retaining the flavour of the meat instead of adding spices, so Solen Istanbul’s fate really depends on whether or not desi foodies can live without their mirchi.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2013.

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via Solen Istanbul — a treat from Turkey – The Express Tribune.

February 20, 2013
Turkey: Land where climates, people and cultures meet

Sunday, February 10, 2013 – Islamabad —Viewing Turkey through the lens of Erkut Onart was pleasantly refreshing for many as the photographs reflected a Turkey, culturally rich and diverse. Erkut Onart’s photography exhibition titled “Turkey: the land where climates, people and cultures meet” that opened here at Satrang Gallery was attended by art enthusiast and diplomats. Mr. Onart himself, H.E Babur Hizlan, Ambassador of Turkey, and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly were the chief guests at the occasion. The exhibition is first of the events as part of the cultural activities between Pakistan and Turkey. “2013-2014 would be celebrated as the Cultural Years of Turkey in Pakistan and Pakistan in Turkey to strengthen the ties of the two countries” said the Turkish Ambassador, Babur Hizlan. Faisal Kundi hoped that Pakistani artists would also go to Turkey under the cultural exchange program.

The vibrant photographs, portraying places, people, architecture and landscapes of Turkey, depicted a rich culture full of diversity. “Mr. Onart has truly captured the beauty and spirit of the people and places of Turkey,” said Asma Khan, director of the Gallery. Every photograph allows a glance into nature, ambiance, people and places of different cultures. “Each photo reflects a different region of Turkey and is a great opportunity for Pakistanis to learn about the country” remarked Madame Hizlan.

The exhibition reflects the diversity and richness of the Turkish culture. “It is refreshing and different from what we generally see in Turkish dramas on our (Pakistani) channels” said Ahsan Akhtar, a visitor, who was impressed enough to plan a visit to Turkey.

Places of Istanbul are the highlight of the exhibition but the photographer has brought out other striking places as well such as the city of Bursa and Konya, city of Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes. Photographs of the Blue Mosque, the prestigious landmark of Istanbul; photo Dolmabahce Palace, in all its glory, stood tall among other photos on display.

via Turkey: Land where climates, people and cultures meet.

February 12, 2013
Pakistan opens Turkey-helped rapid bus lane system

Lahor Metrobus system will carry 100K passengers daily.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Lahor’s rapid bus lane system was inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony attended by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag.

Bozdag and and Pakistan main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Metrobus system, a rapid public transit network similar to Istanbul’s fleet operating on dedicated bus lanes.

“This is an important example of the cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Our two brotherly countries should further improve cooperation in commerce, education, health and social life,” Bozdag told the ceremony.

The bus lane project was prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and part of the lane was constructed by Albayrak Holding, a Turkish contractor, which also won operating rights of the system for 8 years.

The 27-kilometer lane will carry 100,000 passengers a day.

via Pakistan opens Turkey-helped rapid bus lane system | Asia-Pasific | World Bulletin.

February 11, 2013
Istanbul to Islamabad journey to take 11 days with Gul Train

Director General of Turkey’s State Railways (TCDD) Suleyman Karaman said that in their talks with Pakistani and Afghan ministers, a decision was taken to increase the frequency of the Gul Train travelling between Istanbul and Islamabad and to increase the amount of cargo carried, according to a report published by Turkish Weekly.

Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), Suleyman Karaman stressed that they aimed to bring down the number of days required for the Gul Train to reach Islamabad from Istanbul to 11 days from the previous mark of 15 days.

via Istanbul to Islamabad journey to take 11 days with Gul Train | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia.

December 14, 2012
Turkey support cause of Kashmiris

Turkey support cause of Kashmiris

Sunday, December 09, 2012 – TURKEY has once again won hearts of the people of Pakistan by expressing its full support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people. Talking to a Pakistan parliamentary delegation in Ankara, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said there was a great deal of awareness about the Kashmir issue in Turkey, which was product of an unjust international system, hoping that dialogue between Pakistan and India would lead to an amicable solution.

This is not for the first time that the Turkish leadership has unequivocally extended their country’s support to Pakistan on this issue as Ankara has been steadfast in its policy on Kashmir since long. Turkey has been contributing its sincere efforts towards resolution of the longstanding problem and seeking an end to human rights violations of Kashmiri people. It has been raising its voice and supporting Pakistan’s principled stand on the dispute at all international forums in a steadfast manner. The most important aspect of its contribution is as member of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir that has always adopted strong resolutions on the issue, supporting right of self-determination for Kashmiris and resolution of the problem as per aspirations of Kashmiri people. Turkey is so forthright in its advocacy for the rights of Kashmiri people that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in his UN General Assembly speech last year, demanding early resolution of the dispute for achieving peace and stability in the region. This is significant in view of the fact that even some Pakistani leaders felt shy of raising the issue at UN for sometime in their bid not to displease Indians. We appreciate statement of Mr. Abdullah Gul that there was great awareness of Kashmir issue in Turkey as this is confirmed by seminars and discussions organized by civil society organizations in the brotherly country as well as favourable media reports appearing quite frequently on the issue. We are sure that the categorical position of the Turkish leadership and people would further deepen love and affection between the two countries. We also urge other OIC member States to join Turkey and Saudi Arabia in adding their voice for the sake of rights of Kashmiri people.

via Turkey support cause of Kashmiris.

December 9, 2012
Turkey to knock doors of international court

ISLAMABAD: The Turkish government has decided to take up the case of Karkey power plant of Turkey to the International Court.

As the first step, the Turkish law department has worked out the case to knock at the arbitration court. Highly-placed sources in the Turkish mission in Islamabad have revealed to

‘The News’ on Monday evening that the process of taking up the case in the international court had already been initiated and the process of consultation by the legal experts was underway.

Mustafa Babur Hizlan Turkish, Ambassador in Pakistan, while confirming the decision to approach the international court disclosed that yet another big Turkish company that has finalised its plan to make huge investment in Pakistan has changed its mind keeping in view the treatment meted out to Karkey.

via Turkey to knock doors of international court – thenews.com.pk.

November 27, 2012