With Public Applause, Pakistani Search and Rescue Team Leaves for Pakistan

Press Release

Istanbul, 23 February 2023

WITH PUBLIC APPLAUSE, PAKISTANI SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM LEAVES FOR PAKISTAN

After conducting 17-day search and rescue operation in Adiyaman, the Pakistan Search and Rescue team left for Pakistan from Istanbul tonight. Through relentless efforts, the team managed to rescue multiple precious lives.

At the farewell ceremony, attended by Deputy Governor of Istanbul Özlem Bozkurt Gevrek. Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Deputy Ambassador Zeynep Kaleli of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFAD Coordinator İstanbul Mrs Seval Dedeoğlu and other dignitaries team was sent off to Pakistan with a loud round of applause and appreciation.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) squad from Pakistan comprised of a 33-member Pakistan Army USAR team and 53-member Rescue 1122 team. Both teams were among the first ones to arrive at Adiyaman on 7th February 2023, where they successfully made miraculous live evacuations. In total, 28 live evacuations were made by both teams. 14 live evacuations were made exclusively by the Pakistani teams, whereas 14 evacuations were made with the support of other rescue teams present on ground.

Bidding farewell to the team, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Özlem Bozkurt Gevrek, thanked the Pakistani team for its support in wake of devastating earthquake.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, Dr.Yousaf Junaid stated that Pakistan and Turkiye are like ‘Two Hearts, One Soul’. People of Pakistan felt the same pain and anguish as their Turkish brothers after the devastating earthquakes. Pakistan will continue playing an active part in relief and rehabilitation efforts, ambassador added.

***(8/2023)***

in 2023

# Türkiye

Prime Minister Visits Earthquake Affected Areas In Türkiye

January 5, 2024

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DR. ARIF ALVI ON THE OCCASION OF THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION DAY

Every year, on the 5th of January, we renew our support for the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day in 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) unanimously adopted a resolution affirming the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.

The right to self-determination is a cardinal principle of international law, upheld in numerous core United Nations Treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. For decades, it has been reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly in its annual resolution on self-determination. However, the last 76 years of India’s occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are a sad story of repression of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

India is trying to consolidate its occupation of IIOJK. The Indian Supreme Court’s judgement of 11 December 2023 on the status of this disputed territory is the latest step in this direction. India is trying to subjugate the Kashmiris through such oppressive tactics further. It continues to deny their inalienable right to self-determination and live with freedom and dignity.

Today’s commemoration is aimed at reminding the international community of its responsibility towards the oppressed Kashmiri people. The United Nations must honour the commitments that it made 75 years ago and support the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination.

Pakistan remains determined to play its role in supporting the right to self-determination of Kashmiris through a free and impartial plebiscite as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Our strong and steadfast moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people will continue till the realisation of this inalienable right.

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The Embassy of

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Ankara, Türkiye