Trees Planted at Pakistan Embassy In The Memory Of Precious Lives Lost In Earthquake 2023 In Southern Türkiye

Press Release

Ankara, 5th February 2024

Trees Planted at Pakistan Embassy In The Memory Of Precious Lives

Lost In Earthquake 2023 In Southern Türkiye

An event was held at Pakistan Embassy Ankara to commemorate the courage and resilience of Turkish nation in the wake of last year’s devastating earthquakes in southern Türkiye. Chairperson Human Rights Investigation Commission of Turkish Parliament, MP Ms. Derya Yanik and Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid planted trees in the presence of Deputy Governor Ankara Mr. Bekir Yilmaz, Vice President AFAD Mr. Hamza Taşdelen and representatives of media, think tanks and civil society. A moment of silence was observed in respect of precious lives lost in earthquake followed by fatiha.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid expressed profound sorrow over the loss of more than 50,000 lives and devastating damages to property as a result of the earthquake. He stated that earthquake highlighted Turkiye’s resilience in the face of a massive disaster, correctly termed as ‘asrin felaketi’ and the capacity of the Turkish government under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to handle such colossal damage in the best possible manner.

While highlighting the deep-rooted Pakistani-Turkish brotherhood and friendship, Ambassador stated that both countries are like ‘two hearts, one soul’. Both countries have a glorious tradition of supporting each other under all circumstances. Under the spirit of ‘aciniz acimiz’, it was Pakistan’s responsibility to contribute to earthquake relief assistance efforts.

Vice President AFAD Hamza Taşdelen thanked Pakistan for its exemplary solidarity and swift response to earthquake relief assistance. He highlighted that Pakistani rescue teams were among the first international teams to arrive in Adiyaman, the worst hit city by earthquake, where they saved many precious lives. He stated that relief assistance goods especially winterized tents were sent by air, land and sea routes to ensure quick delivery to the affected areas, which highlighted that the hearts of the Pakistani brothers beat with the hearts of Turkish people.

***(1/2024)***

in 2024

# Türkiye

Message from Caretaker Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on the Occasion of Right to Self-Determination Day (5th January 2024)

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