Islamabad, March 23, 2025 – The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) hosted a Youth Solidarity Iftar in Islamabad, uniting 320 students and dignitaries from Türkiye, Pakistan, and Palestine in an evening of friendship and shared spirit.
The event was attended by H.E. Dr. İrfan Neziroğlu, Ambassador of Türkiye; H.E. Ms. Dilşad Şenol, Ambassador of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; as well as esteemed rectors, university students, and representatives from partner institutions including Al Khidmat Foundation, NUST, NUML, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Press Club and the Türkiye Alumni Association.
A Night of Solidarity and Brotherhood
Speaking at the event, TİKA Islamabad Coordinator Ms. Saliha Tuna highlighted the strong bonds between Türkiye, Pakistan, and Palestine, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in fostering deeper connections among the nations.
Ms. Tuna also paid tribute to the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, a Training & Research Hospital under the Islamic University of Gaza, which was built by TİKA in 2011 and completed in 2017. It was Gaza’s only full-fledged hospital capable of treating cancer patients—until it was recently destroyed by the Israeli army.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, İrfan Neziroğlu, emphasized that both Pakistan and Palestine are among Türkiye’s closest friends. Addressing the Gazan students, he assured them that they could consider the Turkish Embassy as their second home.
Ambassador Neziroğlu also highlighted that with nearly 700 development cooperation projects carried out in the past 15 years, Pakistan remains one of TİKA’s most active partner countries. He reaffirmed that TİKA’s projects and support in Pakistan will continue in the future.
Gazan student Fatima En-Najjar, speaking on behalf of all Gazan students, expressed heartfelt gratitude to TİKA for organizing the iftar, calling it an honor for them to be part of such a meaningful gathering. She also made an emotional appeal to the audience, urging them to keep the Palestinian people in their prayers as the genocide continues and the situation in Gaza worsens with each passing day.
Strengthening Development Cooperation
TİKA has been operating in Pakistan since 2010, implementing nearly 700 development cooperation projects across various sectors. Youth Solidarity Iftar was another reflection of TİKA’s commitment to fostering lasting ties between the three nations.
The event concluded with heartfelt exchanges between students and a collective prayer for peace, justice, and unity.
