First Lady Emine Erdoğan Attended TİKA’s Sewing Machine Delivery Ceremony in Pakistan

First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, attended the Sewing Machine Donation Program, organized by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) for mothers who receive sewing and embroidery training as part of the vocational training courses of Bait-ul-Mal Foundation and whose children are treated for thalassemia.

Accompanying President Erdoğan during his visit to Pakistan, First Lady Emine Erdoğan was greeted by Samina Alvi, the wife of Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi; Deputy Prime Minister Sania Nishtar; Minister of Defense Zubeyda Jelal; Head of TİKA’s East-South Asia, Pacific, and Latin America Department Rıza Haluk Soner; TİKA Pakistan Coordinator Gökhan Umut; and President of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Foundation Aon Abbas Buppi, at the program organized at Pakistan National Council of the Arts.

“Pakistan and Turkey are two halves of the same heart. Our long-standing friendship was established with a true sense of brotherhood beyond diplomatic relations.”

In her speech at the inauguration of the program, Emine Erdoğan expressed her pleasure in being in Pakistan, a friendly and sister country. She said, “Pakistan and Turkey are two halves of the same heart. Our long-standing friendship was established with a true sense of brotherhood beyond diplomatic relations. We are true friends who help each other through difficult times.” Stating that the future of a country is directly related to the health of its people, Emine Erdoğan stressed that they are ready to use every means available for the treatment of children with thalassemia and the improvement of their living standards. Emine Erdoğan added that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Hospital, built by Turkey in Muzaffargarh, was one of the indicators of this effort. Emphasizing the importance of taking the burden off the shoulders of families in the fight against the disease, Emine Erdoğan said that she finds the project implemented on that day extremely meaningful. Noting that it is very important to increase the opportunities of women, who have a prominent role in child and patient care, Emine Erdoğan said, “I sincerely believe that the sewing machines that we donate to the women who learn how to sew and embroider at vocational courses will serve this purpose.” 

Emine Erdoğan also thanked the officials of TİKA, Turkey’s friendly hand, for implementing the project and Pakistani authorities for their support. Samina Alvi, the wife of Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi, also emphasized the depth of the friendship between the two countries and expressed her gratitude for the project. At the end of the program, the sewing machine delivery ceremony was held. In addition, a tree was planted on behalf of Emine Erdoğan on the occasion of the event, in the garden of the venue where the program took place. Hülya Çavuşoğlu, the wife of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu; Şule Akar, the wife of Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar; and Meral Turhan, the wife of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Cahit Turhan, also accompanied Emine Erdoğan during her visit. Later, Emine Erdoğan visited the art gallery in the National Council of the Arts with Samina Alvi.