By Shabana Ayaz
The prize distribution ceremony for the eighth edition of the Jinnah Young Writers Award essay competition was held in Ankara today. The event was graced by the Turkish Deputy Minister for National Education, Ms. Celile Eren Okten, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, reflecting the strong educational and cultural cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Named after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, the Jinnah Young Writers Award forms a key component of the Pakistan Embassy’s public diplomacy initiatives in Türkiye. The competition is organized annually for senior high school students across Türkiye, encouraging intellectual exchange, cultural understanding, and youth engagement.
The theme for the eighth edition was:
“Family as a Source of Strength: Exploring Its Role in Pakistani and Turkish Societies.”
In her address, Ms. Celile Eren Okten stated that 2025 was declared the “Year of the Family” in Türkiye, emphasizing that the family institution serves as a fundamental pillar of social cohesion in both Turkish and Pakistani societies. She highlighted that the theme of the competition aligned with the vision of President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to strengthen the family structure.
She further noted that educational initiatives like the Jinnah Young Writers Award provide students with a meaningful platform to reflect on shared values and contribute to the strengthening of long-standing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador of Pakistan Dr. Yousaf Junaid underlined that family values constitute the moral and cultural foundation of both nations. He stated that the theme enabled students to thoughtfully explore the role of family in building resilient and harmonious communities.
He added that the Jinnah Young Writers Award continues to play a constructive role in familiarizing the younger generation with the depth and significance of Pakistan–Türkiye relations, and reaffirmed that the Pakistan Embassy would continue organizing the competition with broader participation in the future.
In the results of the competition,
Ms. Yağmur Zulfikar from Özel Muradiye Nene Hatun Girls’ Anatolian High School, Ankara secured first position.
H. Ebrar Kesici from 15 Temmuz Şehit Erdem Diker Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, Tokat was awarded second position,
while Hayrunnisa Keskin from Zübeyde Hanım Girls’ Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Zonguldak secured third position.
Honourable Mentions were awarded to:
Mustafa Yalcınkaya — Bozkır Anatolian High School, Konya
Zeynep Ecrin Eniste — Özel Sivas Batı Anatolian High School, Sivas
Ali Yusuf Sabah — Sırrı Yırcalı Anatolian High School, Balıkesir
The ceremony concluded in an atmosphere of academic pride, cultural harmony, and renewed commitment to strengthening Pakistan–Türkiye people-to-people relations through youth, education, and shared values.
