Ataturk
Turkish Embassy, Karachi
16 August, 1957
Mrs. Mariam Jan, “Katrina”
Pindi Point, Murree, West Pakistan
Dear Madam, I have received your letter.
Thank you very much for good wishes
expressed therein. I have pleasure
enclosing herewith a photograph
of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
as requested. Yours faithfully
for Ambassador of Turkey
Ercument Yavuzalp, First Secretary.
Folk Women
His Excellency the Ambassador
Turkish Embassy, Karachi
17 April, 1958
Your Excellency, I am really sorry for the delay
acknowledging your letter of
16 August, 1957
enclosed therewith photograph
of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who yanked
the women of Turkey
to the 20th century. In fact
I wished to give you
the gift I promised in my last letter
personally on behalf
of myself and women folk of Kashmir
during my anticipated
trip to Karachi. Sadly, I could not
travel so far. Hence, I am
sending the gift herewith, representing
the handiwork of Kashmir’s
women artisans. I hope you would kindly
accept it and convey best
wishes from the brave daughters of Kashmir
to the brave daughters of Turkey.
I also hope Turkey undoubtedly supports
our right to determine our
destiny ourselves. We have been fighting
since long for our freedom. We
thank you and your country for the goodwill
you have shown. Yours faithfully, Mrs.
Maryam Jan. “Katrina,” Pindi Point, Murree.
Country Men
Turkish Embassy, Karachi 17 May, 1958
Mrs. Maryam Jan, “Katrina,” Pindi Point,
Murree, West Pakistan. Dear Madam,
I am in receipt of your letter dated
17 April and of the lovely gift
you have been so kind to send me on behalf
of yourself and the women artists
of Kashmir. The workmanship of the jewel case is
indeed a fine example of skill.
My warmest appreciation for your kind
thought sending this token of regard
the women of Kashmir have for my country
men. Please accept my sincere wishes
for prosperity of the people of Kashmir,
which, I assure you, is wholeheartedly
shared by the people of Turkey. Faithfully,
General Muzaffer Goksenin, The Ambassador.
By Rafiq Kathwari, whose book of poems, In Another Country, is forthcoming in September from Doire Press.