Highest level Turkish attendance at Defence Day of Pakistan

Ankara: Turkish Minister for Defence Mr. İsmet Yılmaz, Chairman of Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Group in Turkish Parliament Burhan Kayaturk, senior generals from the Turkish defence forces, diplomatic community and foreign defence attaches based in Ankara, media, think-tanks and Pakistan community participated in the Pakistan Defence Day reception hosted by Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and Defence and Air Attaché Air Commodore Abbas Ghumman here Tuesday evening.

Pakistan Defence Day was commemorated to pay tributes to the valiant Pakistani armed forces who defended their motherland against India in 1965 war.

Turkish Minister for Defence İsmet Yılmaz in his address referred to exemplary bilateral defence ties between the two countries. He said Pakistan-Turkey relations are of a unique nature and are not affected by changes in governments in either country. Our relations are deep rooted in the hearts of our people and our people will always stand together in good and bad times, said Yilmaz.  He loudly said ‘Jeeway Pakistan’ and ‘Long Live Pakistan-Turkey friendship.’

Ambassador Haroon Shaukat in his welcome address said Pakistan and Turkey are pillars of stability in the region. He highlighted the achievements of Pakistan armed forces over the years in defence of motherland. “We are proud of our soldiers and we pay glowing tributes to our brave heroes,” said Haroon Shaukat. He said our defence forces are the guarantors of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan. Our martyrs and veterans are our treasure and a role model for our future generations, he added.

Earlier students of Pakistan Embassy School in Ankara performed national songs and entertained the audience with their excellent performance. Videos highlighting significance of the defence day and Pakistan-Turkey relations were also shown to the audience.