Minister Tekin, who paid a visit to Pakistan to attend various inaugurations and programs, visited the campus of the Turkish Maarif Foundation Schools in Lahore on the first day of his visit. 

 

Upon his arrival at the school, Minister Tekin was welcomed with flowers by the students and teachers, and he engaged in conversation with them.

 

Subsequently, Minister Tekin visited the area where student projects were displayed and received information about the projects from the students and teachers. 

 

He also visited the classrooms, had conversations with the students, and emphasized the strong brotherly ties between Türkiye and Pakistan.

 

Later, during a meeting held in the school's conference hall, Minister Tekin met with the teachers and stated that whenever Pakistan is mentioned in Türkiye, a smile appears on everyone's face. He added, "There are undoubtedly many reasons for this sympathy toward Pakistan. One of these reasons is Islamic brotherhood. Another reason is our shared trait of standing by each other during difficult times. The support given by our brothers in Pakistan during the Turkish War of Independence is passed down from generation to generation. Muhammad Iqbal is one of the figures who strengthened this brotherhood. In our country, Muhammad Iqbal is known not only as a poet but also as an activist, intellectual, man of letters, and thinker who symbolized strong resistance against imperialism. All idealist intellectuals in Türkiye, who feel a sense of responsibility toward society, certainly have a Muhammad Iqbal legacy. May his soul rest in peace.

 

Minister Tekin, recalling that one of Ankara's most important streets was named Cinnah as a symbol of the strong friendship and brotherly ties between Türkiye and Pakistan, emphasized the importance of the Turkish Maarif Foundation schools.

 

Stating that he visits Turkish Maarif Foundation schools in every country he goes to, Tekin said, 'When the Turkish Maarif Foundation was established, there was a starting point. As is well known, education has become an incredibly important tool and instrument in the global world. When we established the foundation, our rationale was as follows: while there are diploma programs with universal validity worldwide, we recognized the absence of a program that originates from the Islamic world, prioritizes our values and sensitivities, and defends the rights of the oppressed. The purpose of the Turkish Maarif Foundation's existence was to create such a diploma program-one with universal validity that can reflect the sensitivities of our heart geography. As the Ministry of National Education, under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we will, inshallah, follow up on the necessary steps to move the Turkish Maarif Foundation forward. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the work of the Foundation. 

 

Minister Tekin, while conveying President Erdoğan's greetings to the state and people of Pakistan, who have always stood by Türkiye selflessly during its difficult times, thanked everyone who has contributed to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. 

 

Additionally, Minister Tekin visited the grave of Pakistan's national poet, Muhammad Iqbal, at Badshahi Mosque, laid a carnation, and prayed. He later also visited the Badshahi Mosque itself.

 

Minister Tekin was accompanied during his visit by Türkiye's Ambassador to Islamabad, İrfan Neziroğlu, the President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation, Birol Akgün, and representatives of Turkish institutions in Pakistan.

 

Later, Minister Tekin attended the official dinner hosted in his honor by Sikander Hayat, Minister of Education of Pakistan's Punjab Province.