PRESS RELEASE
DEFENCE AND MARTYRS DAY COMMEMORATED IN ANKARA
Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs Day was commemorated at the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara, paying rich tribute to the courage, sacrifices, and unflinching resolve of the country’s security forces in defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The event was attended by a distinguished gathering, with H.E. Mr. Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Türkiye, as Chief Guest. Among other prominent guests were Member Parliament Burhan Kayaturk, Member Parliament Serap Yazıcı, Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroğlu Chief of Turkish General Staff, General Metin TOKEL Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu Commander of the Turkish Air Force, Chairperson Buyuk Birlik Partisi Mustafa Destici, former chairperson Presidency of Defence Industries Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, senior Turkish civil and military officials, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, defence & military attaches, media representatives, and members of the Pakistani community in Turkiye.
In his keynote address, Minister Yaşar Güler lauded the deep rooted brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, particularly in the field of defence and strategic cooperation. He paid homage to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and expressed Turkiye’s strong solidarity with Pakistan on all core issues. The Minister reiterated Turkiye’s commitment to further enhancing defence collaboration with Pakistan, including joint production, training, and counter-terrorism efforts. The Minister also expressed condolences on losses caused by flood disaster in Pakistan.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, while addressing the gathering, emphasized on the significance of 6th September, a day that symbolizes the unity, resolve, and bravery of the Pakistani nation and its armed forces. “On this day in 1965, a numerically superior adversary launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan. Our armed forces, backed by the unshakable support of the nation, gave a befitting response and defended every inch of the motherland,” he stated.
While referring to Pakistan’s recent success in Marka-e-Haq — a precise and powerful military response to unprovoked Indian aggression, Ambassador Junaid stated “Once again, Pakistan demonstrated its capability, readiness, and resolve to defend its sovereignty. Our armed forces responded with restraint, precision, and strength —highlighting our commitment to peace and defence of our sovereignty” he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s desire for regional peace, Ambassador Junaid stressed that durable peace in South Asia is subject to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He also thanked the Turkish leadership and people for their continued support to Pakistan and the Kashmiri cause, and praised the expanding Pakistan–Turkiye strategic partnership, particularly in defence cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
Every year on 6th September, the Pakistani nation commemorates Defence and Martyrs Day to honour the valiant soldiers who laid down their lives for the country and to renew the national resolve to safeguard Pakistan’s independence, security, and dignity.
Ankara, 6 September 2025
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