Pakistan: Turkish Embassy remembers 2016 defeated coup

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) – Turkey’s Embassy in Pakistan on Wednesday marked the fourth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 defeated coup in Turkey.

An event at the embassy in Islamabad was attended by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul, various countries’ diplomats, Turkish people living in Pakistan, and local officials.

The speakers and participants observed a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their motherland on July 15, 2016.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured on July 15, 2016.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

"Pakistan always stood by Turkey in every difficult time and we will do the same in the future as well," said Shafqaat.

On the historical relationship between the two countries, Shafaqat said the people of Turkey and Pakistan are not only friends but “we love our Turkish brothers and sisters."

Pakistan was one of the first countries to condemn the coup attempt, and the entire Pakistani nation stood with their Turkish brethren while both houses of Pakistan’s parliament unanimously passed resolutions expressing solidarity with Turkey and condemning the defeated coup.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Yurdakul paid tribute to the July 15 martyrs and said Turkish people sacrificed to protect their democratic system.

"The coup-plotters used Turkish Armed Forces tanks and jets against its own people, including shelling innocent civilians, and bombed vital government functions – including parliament and the intelligence and national police buildings," he said.

Turkey has also thanked Pakistan’s government and its institutions for their assistance against FETO and handing over FETO-linked schools – a cash cow for the group abroad – to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation

"I am very proud that the people, government, parliament, and every organization stood with us, and Pakistan was one of the first nations to stand with Turkey and its elected government," Yurdakul said.

"When they saw the real face of FETO, our Pakistani brothers all stood against them and supported their Turkish brothers and government," he added.

The event also screened a short film analyzing the secret structure of FETO and its leader Fetullah Gulen’s role in the defeated coup.