The 78th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated today in Ankara with traditional zeal and fervor. Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid hoisted the national flag to the tune of the national anthem in the presence of guests from all spheres of life.
Messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion. Pakistani leadership in their messages paid tribute to the sacrifices of ancestors and vowed to transform Pakistan by the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Pakistani leadership also expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir who have been denied their fundamental right to self-determination and reaffirmed Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support for Kashmir’s legitimate right to self-determination.
While congratulating the nation, particularly the Pakistani community in Turkiye, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Juanid stated that being a thriving nation of over 240 million people, Pakistanis have shown their brilliance in every walk of life from science to sports, from business to humanitarian services – Pakistanis have made their mark in every field. He highlighted that Arshad Nadeem’s historic victory in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics for Pakistan exemplifies Pakistan’s abundant natural resources and human talent. His triumph serves as a testament to the limitless potential that can be harnessed with hard work and dedication. He emphasized that today, we should promise to continue to work with full dedication, devotion, and commitment for Pakistan’s peace, progress, and prosperity.
While appreciating the contribution made by the Pakistani diaspora in Turkiye’s development, Ambassador Junaid stated that brotherly Turkiye’s progress is Pakistan’s progress and vice versa. The real strength of a bilateral relationship is people-to-people contact and the diaspora being the real representatives of Pakistan, should continue playing their role in further deepening the exemplary Pakistan-Turkiye friendship.
Reiterating Pakistan’s political, diplomatic, and moral support for the legitimate right to self-determination of Kashmiris, Ambassador Junaid emphasized the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The Ambassador thanked the Turkish nation and leadership for sending congratulatory messages and sharing the joy of Pakistan’s Independence Day by lighting Turkish landmarks in the colors of the Pakistani flag. This evening, Ankara’s landmark, ‘Atakule’, the tallest tower and best-lit building, will showcase the messages of Pakistan-Turkiye brotherhood and solidarity. Atakule is situated on Jinnah Avenue just opposite Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s monument. Moreover, bridges in Istanbul on the Bosporus linking Asia with Europe will be illuminated in Pakistan’s flag colors.
