KARACHI - Pakistan is my home. I have lived in the cosmopolitan city of Karachi and made thousands of friends who showered love and affection, and opened their hearts and homes to me. Turkey and Pakistan are two brothers who are always there for each other.

These warm sentiments were expressed by Turkish Consul General Murat M Onart at a farewell reception hosted in his honour by Azeem Quraishi on behalf of Avari Hotels International management. Onart returns to Turkey in December after serving for six years in Karachi.

The Turkish diplomat speaking informally to the elite gathered to bid him farewell said he would always cherish the memories of his sojourn in Karachi as he head enjoyed every moment of his assignment.

The Turkish envoy said there is great scope for expanding Pakistan-Turkish bilateral trade. He added Turkey’s main focus in Pakistan were infrastructure projects besides energy and finance sectors. He said 100 Turkish firms were operating in Pakistan in these and other sectors while 158 Pakistanis companies were operating in Turkey. He asked Pakistan travel sector to explore the tourism potential as Pakistanis would find themselves warmly welcomed in Turkey.

Earlier, Beach Luxury Hotel General Manager Azeem Quaraishi in his welcome address said Murat M Onart was great friend of Pakistan who had strived day and night to present a positive image of Pakistan since his arrival in 2011.

He added that the Turkish envoy had promoted Karachi when this city faced some very dark days. Karachi and its people would always remember Onart.

He said he had worked with the Turkish envoy on many projects to present a positive image of Pakistan and Karachi and admired Onart’s dedication. He wished the Turkish envoy good luck and said many a home particularly his abode was Onart’s home.