Pak embassy in Ankara observes Kashmir Day

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara observed Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm support to the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for realization of their right to self-determination.

Former Turkish deputy prime minister Recep Akdag, former Turkish minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker, former Turkish minister of Family and Social Services, currently DG SESRIC Ms. Zehra Zumrut, Member Parliament Burhan Kayaturk, Member Parliament Mustafa Kaya, Vice Mayor Ankara Municipality Faruk Koyluoglu, President Geostrategic Foresight Institute Gen. (R) Guray Alpar, Vice President Institute of Strategic Thinking Alpar Tan, Ambassador (R) Numan Hazar, representatives of media, think tanks and civil society attended the event.

Reiterating Turkish support for Kashmiri legitimate cause of self-determination, former Turkish deputy prime minister Recep Akdag stated that Turkiye has always supported peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the desire of the Kashmiri people and will continue to do so.

He emphasized that international community needs to play its due role in putting an end to human rights atrocities in IIOJK. Former Turkish minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker, stated that Kashmir dispute is the issue of everyone with conscience, an issue of human rights and justice and the resolution of Kashmir dispute is vital for the peace and stability in South Asia.

Turkish Member Parliament Burhan Kayaturk stated that the right to self-determination was promised to the Kashmiri people by the United Nations and the Indian leadership itself, but still after seven decades the promise remained unfulfilled. Turkish Member Parliament Mustafa Kaya stated that international community needs to play its due role in putting an end to human rights atrocities in IIOJK and implementation of relevant UN resolutions to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Ambassador Dr Yousaf Junaid thanked the audience and stated that the cross-sectional representation consisting of former ministers, current parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, Ankara Mayor office, academia and media clearly demonstrated Turkiye’s unflinching support to Kashmir’s just struggle for the right of self-determination.

Ambassador Junaid explained the genesis of the Kashmir dispute, current status and alluded to atrocities and genocidal actions committed by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which had stepped up ever since August 05, 2019 illegal act of the Indian government.