ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its deep-rooted brotherly ties with Turkiye, stressing that the historic legacy established by their forefathers must be carried forward for future generations.
Addressing a commemoration ceremony of the 10th Democracy and National Solidarity Day of Turkiye, the minister said, Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed a relationship which went beyond the creation of Pakistan.
Ambassador Dr Irfan Neziroglu welcomed the guests. He shed light on the importance of the day in the history of modern Turkiye. Democracy and National Unity Day (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü) is a public holiday in Turkey observed annually on July 15. It commemorates the thwarting of the 2016 coup attempt, honoring the civilians, police, and military personnel who lost their lives defending the nation’s constitutional order and democratic institutions.
Dean of diplomatic corp, Ambassador Turkmenistan H.E Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Bosnia,Kazakhstan, Rwanda,Syria, Somalia, Uzbekistan, DHM Jordan, Representative of TRNC Ms Buket Kop were also present at the occasion. Heads of Turkish NGOs and Turkish Airline also attended the event.
The chief guest , Minister Information , in his address , said “Our forefathers stood shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish brothers during their war of salvation,” he said, recalling the support extended by the women of sub-continent to help Turkish brothers and sisters at that point donating their ornaments.
“This is something that has been passed on to us through the generations,” he said, adding, “our elders have given us these stories as part of our inheritance.”
“While growing up, we learnt about the contributions that have been made over time and decades,” he noted.
“The Muslims of the subcontinent, when Pakistan did not exist, had this great feeling of brotherhood for their Turkish brothers and sisters,” he said, reaffirming strongly that the bond has gotten only stronger over the decades.
The minister said he has been part of various official interactions between the two countries and first hand witnessed strongly growing bilateral partnership. He also highlighted the growing people-to-people relations between the two countries.
He also paid tribute to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for guiding Turkish nation to prosperity, economic transformation and military might. “This is the reason that the people were content and the people were ready to face any kind of difficulty to stand up for their government and to stand up for their leader.”
Speaking about the Democracy and National Solidarity Day, he praised the Turkish President for his leadership in the face of adversity.
Citing the Turkish President who during his address to the nation said, “I am coming to Istanbul and we will fight together to save our nation and to stand united,” the minister said, adding that moment was a turning point which led to scores of people coming out on the streets.
He also paid homage to the 250 martyrs who fearlessly, with courage, with bravery laid down their lives for the Turkish Republic. He said sacrifices of those martyrs did not go in vain as across the capitals of the world, including Islamabad, a message of solidarity was being sent to their families and loved ones.
Speaking about the issue of Northern Cyprus , he said Pakistan had always supported the stance of Turkiye. “And vice versa with regard to the issue of Kashmir, Turkey has always supported Pakistan as far as the Kashmir cause is concerned.”
“I was very happy to witness a very young Dr. Irfan Nazirolu in the parliament and standing like a warrior facing the situation when the parliament building was being bombed,” he said while appreciating the historic services rendered by the Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan during that time.
“On this day, when the Turkish nation not only achieved one of its moments of great courage and of sacrifice, but I think for the future generations, they left a message that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going,” he remarked.
He hoped that the sacrifices of martyrs gave the people of Turkiye more strength to strengthen thier nation and gave the people a way forward for progress.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire Turkish leadership for their expression of love and solidarity with the Pakistani people. The minister also thanked the people of Turkiye for showing immense love towards their Pakistani brothers and sisters when they visit their country.
“Pakistan has, Pakistan will always stand by the Turkish brothers and sisters as we have shown on every occasion,” he stressed.
He recalled his grandfather Rafiq Tarar’s visit to Turkiye as President of Pakistan in 1998 which entailed very fond memories.Tarar said he still have many memorable photographs from that visit during which his grandfather was received by the then president, Mr. Salman Demirel.
“So, when I say that these memories and these stories have been passed on to us through the generations, we have actually kept them very dear to our heart, like one holds a legacy close to one’s heart,” he noted.
