Pakistani intelligentsia remembers heroes who defeated July 15 coup in Türkiye

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistani academics, writers, and journalists gathered in the port city of Karachi on Friday to remember the "heroes" who defeated the so-called coup in Türkiye on July 15, 2016.

The ceremony attended by vice-chancellors, writers, media professionals, and members of the Turkish community in the city, was organized by the Turkish Consulate General in Karachi on its premises on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the botched coup.

It began with a recitation from the Holy Quran for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to safeguard Türkiye's integrity and democracy.

A "moment of silence" was observed to honor those killed in a bid to foil the coup before Türkiye’s national anthem played at the start of the ceremony.

Several videos were also played to depict the moving moments of July 15 night.

This year, which marks the seventh anniversary of the botched coup, the events are being held under the theme of "Türkiye's Heroes of the Century," to honor the people who defended the country at the cost of their lives on the night of the July 15.

Addressing the ceremony, Acting Consul General Ali Fuat Erkurt said the July 15 event was a well-planned conspiracy to derail democracy in Türkiye through a so-called coup but the Turkish people foiled that attempt with their unity and faith.

It, he added, was the victory of democracy protected by the Turkish nation and security forces.

The Turkish people courageously showed the world at the cost of their blood that they would not tolerate any attempt to derail democracy, he maintained.

- 2016 defeated coup

The attempt by FETO terrorist group to overthrow the government began around 10 p.m. local time (1900GMT) on July 15, 2016, and was thwarted by 8 a.m. the following day.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 252 people dead and 2,200 injured.

Since its designation in October 2016, every year, the country marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day, with events held to commemorate those who lost their lives beating back the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.

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.