Shabana Ayaz
Ankara:: The Embassy of Pakistan in Türkiye commemorated Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs Day with solemnity and pride, paying tribute to the courage, sacrifices, and unyielding resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The event was attended by a distinguished gathering, with Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Türkiye, as the chief guest. Prominent dignitaries included Members of Parliament Burhan Kayaturk and Serap Yazıcı, Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroğlu, Chief of Turkish General Staff, Gen. Metin Tokel, Commander of Turkish Land Forces, Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Commander of Turkish Air Force, Mustafa Destici, Chairperson of Buyuk Birlik Partisi, former Defence Industries chief Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, ambassadors, senior Turkish civil and military officials, defence & military attachés, media representatives, and members of the Pakistani community in Türkiye.
Minister Güler’s Remarks
In his keynote address, Minister Yaşar Güler lauded the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, especially in the realm of defence and strategic cooperation. He praised the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and reaffirmed Türkiye’s strong solidarity with Pakistan on all core issues. The Minister pledged enhanced collaboration in defence production, training, and counter-terrorism, while also extending condolences over the losses caused by recent floods in Pakistan.
Ambassador Junaid’s Address
Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, underlined the significance of 6th September, recalling the historic defence of the motherland in 1965 against a numerically superior adversary. He noted that Pakistan’s armed forces, backed by national unity, responded with courage and determination to safeguard every inch of the country.
Highlighting Pakistan’s recent success in Marka-e-Haq, the Ambassador said: “Once again, Pakistan demonstrated its capability, readiness, and resolve to defend its sovereignty. Our armed forces responded with restraint, precision, and strength—showing our unwavering commitment to peace and defence of our homeland.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for regional peace, stressing that lasting stability in South Asia hinges on the peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He thanked Türkiye for its continued support to Pakistan and the Kashmiri cause, praising the growing Pakistan–Türkiye strategic partnership in defence and people-to-people ties.
A Day of National Resolve
Every year, on 6th September, Pakistan observes Defence and Martyrs Day to honour the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country and to renew the nation’s resolve to safeguard independence, security, and dignity.
