Türkiye's ambassador to Pakistan, İrfan Nazir Oğlu, attended tent-pegging competitions, a traditional equestrian sport known in Pakistan as “neza bazi,” held during the opening ceremony of the second Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival in the capital, Islamabad.
The Turkish Embassy in Islamabad wrote on the “X” platform that the participation came “in celebration of the rich cultural heritage and long-standing sporting traditions,” and invited everyone to visit the festival and stop by Türkiye's pavilion in the “Diplomatic Square” to learn more about Turkish cultural heritage, tourism destinations and traditions.
The sport is performed on horseback, with riders attempting, at full speed, to pick up with the tip of their lance a small peg driven into the ground. Embassy photographs show riders in traditional attire competing before a large audience.
A three-day festival
Pakistan's official radio said the festival began on Friday, November 6, at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad and would continue for three days. It is organized by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation under the supervision of the prime minister's coordinator for tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan. The program includes paragliding, rock climbing, tent pegging, a classic-car exhibition and hot-air balloons, along with cultural performances and stalls selling traditional handicrafts and food.
Türkiye's pavilion was decorated with Turkish flags, patterned ceramic plates and traditional “evil eye” beads. The ambassador appeared at the pavilion with several guests.
Building bridges between lawyers
In a separate meeting, Nazir Oğlu met Muhammad Haseeb Jamali, president of the Sindh High Court Bar Association. The embassy said the meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the legal communities of Türkiye and Pakistan, including deepening ties between the two countries' bar associations and encouraging professional exchanges.
Jamali won the presidency of the association, which is based in Karachi, for the 2025–2026 term in annual elections held in late November 2025, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported.
Photos: Turkish Embassy in Islamabad
