ISLAMABAD, Sept 21: Acting President Mohammedmian Soomro conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Admiral Ozen Ornek, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces in a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr here on Tuesday.

The award has been conferred on the admiral in recognition of his services for cementing relations between the naval forces of Turkey and Pakistan, says an official handout.

Admiral Ornek has played a vital role in expanding cooperation between the two navies, which has further strengthened the bonds of friendship between the two countries. "Admiral Ornek is an outstanding and distinguished naval commander.

He has held various important assignments both ashore and afloat during his long naval career," it added. Earlier, the Turkish naval chief called on the acting president. He thanked the people and government of Pakistan for conferring the prestigious award on him.

The acting president congratulated the admiral and appreciated his endeavours for strengthening ties between the naval forces of the two countries.

The ceremony was attended by Senior Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Minister for Defence Production, Maj (retd) Habibullah Warraich, Minister of State for Defence Production, Umar Ahmed Ghumman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Turkish Ambassador Hassan Kemal Gur and other senior civil and military officials.

MEETS RAO: The Turkish naval chief during a meeting with Senior Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said that both Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed excellent relationship. He added that cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence to be further enhanced.