ISTANBUL

Fraternal ties and "strategic partnership" between Türkiye and Pakistan were hailed at an event to mark the South Asian nation’s Defense and Martyrs Day in Ankara.

Pakistan's diplomatic mission in Ankara Monday held the event to pay tributes and homage to Pakistani armed forces and martyrs “who sacrificed their lives in successfully defending the motherland from threats to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability.”

Held annually on Sept. 6, Defense and Martyrs Day commemorates the efforts of the armed forces during the 1965 war with India. The conflict, which took place between August and September, ended on Sept. 22 with a UN-sponsored cease-fire. Both nations claimed success following the intense fighting.

Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat attended the event as the chief guest, while Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Metin Gurak participated as the guest of honor, a statement by the Pakistani Embassy in Ankara said.

In his remarks, Bolat appreciated the “exemplary and historic bilateral relations, in particular flourishing defense ties and excellent cooperation” between the armed forces of Pakistan and Türkiye.

On the bilateral trade front, the minister noted that the trade volume had increased by 42% in the first eight months of the ongoing year, and that “both countries are committed to reaching the $5 billion trade target set by the leadership.”

While highlighting the strategic partnership between the two nations, Gurak paid tributes to the "martyrs and valor of Pakistan armed forces."

“Mutual sharing of experiences and expertise in the defense industry between Pakistan and Türkiye would strengthen the defense of both countries and is also important for regional and global peace and security,” said Gurak.

In his opening remarks, Pakistani Ambassador Yousaf Junaid paid tributes to the Turkish gendarmerie soldiers who lost their lives in a road accident in the Tunceli province on Sunday.

Stressing the significance of Sept. 6, Junaid said: “Over the past 77 years, three major wars were imposed on Pakistan, apart from several skirmishes and numerous rounds of unprovoked clashes.”

“Our perseverance has left a lesson that peace-loving, brave, and self-respecting nations, determined to sacrifice lives for their country, could not be defeated by force and belligerence,” he added.

Junaid reiterated that Pakistan “believes in dialogue over conflict and in cooperation over confrontation.”

“Pakistan’s aim is to create an environment, where all nations can prosper but unfortunately the non-resolution of Jammu and Kashmir is hampering the pace of positive development in the region,” he noted.

The Pakistani ambassador said the resolution of the Kashmir dispute according to UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmir people are “vital for regional peace and security.”

He also thanked the Turkish nation for “standing with Pakistan and Pakistani people through thick and thin.”