Türkiye Marks Democracy and National Unity Day, Honors Victims of 2016 Coup Attempt

Islamabad - 17 July 2024 (Adnan Hameed) : The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye commemorated the "Democracy and National Unity Day" with a solemn ceremony today, emphasizing the theme "Victory of the Nation." Distinguished guests, including Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmed Naseem Warraich, Director General Syed Ali Asad Gillani, and Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram, were in attendance. The ceremony marks the eighth anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt by the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO). This failed coup led to the martyrdom of 251 Turkish citizens and the injury of over two thousand others. Ambassador highlighted that FETO, under the guise of promoting education and inter-religious dialogue, had insidiously infiltrated various sectors of Turkish society, including the army, law enforcement, and judiciary, for decades. Ambassador praised the Turkish people for their heroic resistance against the coup attempt, underscoring that their determination and sacrifice safeguarded Türkiye’s territorial and cultural integrity under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "It was the night when the territorial integrity, demographical integrity, and cultural integrity of Türkiye, in other words, in every sense, Türkiye itself was protected by its own citizens," the Ambassador stated. The Ambassador also expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its swift action against FETO affiliates following the coup attempt. He noted that the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared FETO a proscribed organization on December 28, 2018, and emphasized the importance of international solidarity in combating terrorism. "Our country is resolutely fighting against FETO both domestically and internationally," the Ambassador affirmed. He further highlighted that FETO has been recognized as a terrorist organization by international bodies, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The ceremony concluded with a call for continued international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. "We reiterate the principle that terrorism has no language, religion, or race and emphasize once again the importance of solidarity and cooperation within the international community," the Ambassador said. The event also paid homage to the enduring spirit of national unity inspired by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades. The Ambassador thanked all attendees for their participation and reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to democracy and national unity.