Turkish embassy observes anniversary of failed coup

Pakistan one of the first countries to condemn coup attempt

ISLAMABAD: Turkish embassy in Islamabad observed the third anniversary of July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt that claimed 251 lives and left 2,200 wounded.

Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and diplomats from several other countries, Turkish community living in Pakistan and a number of officials attended the event held at the Turkish embassy in Islamabad on July 15, 2019.

Mahmood, who served as his country’s ambassador in Ankara in 2016, was an eye witness to the events overtaking Turkey on July 15. "On July 15, Turkish citizens from all walks of life and across political spectrum showed courage and rendered sacrifices to protect their democratic government and institutions," he said.

Pakistan was one of the first countries condemning the coup attempt and entire Pakistani nation stood with their Turkish brethren, Mahmood recalled.

Both houses of Pakistani parliament had unanimously passed a resolution to express solidarity with Turkey and condemned the failed coup attempt.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2019.