Turkey’s August 30 victory of 1922 remembered in capital

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ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul hosted a grand reception to mark the Victory Day of Turkey.

Prominent personalities including high ranking civil and military officials and a large number of diplomats attended the reception.

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar, Chief of the Air Staff was the chief guest while Commander 10 Corps Lt. General Bilal Akbar also attended the event.

SAPM on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was also included among the distinguished guests.

Air Chief in his remarks said both countries enjoy excellent relations adding these bonds for friendship and brotherhood will grow even stronger.

He also saluted valiant role of Turkish armed forces for protecting and safeguarding the democratic norms.

Earlier, to start the proceedings of the reception Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa read out the message of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

 

In the message the President of Turkey said “Today, we, as the nation, are celebrating the 97th anniversary of the August 30 Victory Day, one of the golden episodes in our glorious history.”

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He further said “I remember with mercy and gratitude Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the commander-in-chief of our War of Independence, the members of the Great National Assembly of Turkey, and all the members of our armed forces, who gifted our people this victory, on the 97th anniversary of the great victory.”

He said the Great Offensive, launched under Ghazi Mustafa Kemal’s command on August 26, 1922, was crowned with victory in Dumlupınar after tough battles.

“Our nation broke the slavery chain, which was tried to be forced upon her, with this legendary victory achieved on August 30, and proved to the entire world that our independence is above and beyond anything.

The great victory, which heralded the Republic of Turkey was the revival of the Turkish Nation, against all efforts aiming at erasing it from history. Just like all our victories in history, what was behind the August 30 was the courage of our heroes, who sacrificed themselves without any hesitation, the President added.

“We are determined to foil each and every conspiracy set against our country in the north of Syria, Iraq and the Eastern Mediterranean. We will by no means let the rights of our nation and of Turkish Cypriots be usurped. With the inspiration and courage we derive from the great victory, we will maintain our push to carry Turkey to a brighter and more prosperous future.”

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Thus, new victories will Inshallah be bestowed upon us with the support of our friends who trust in our country, the sagacity of our nation and with the prayers of our brothers and sisters who believe in us, as was the case 97 years ago.”

The President wished Allah’s mercy upon martyrs and veterans, and saluted all brothers and sisters who did, who are and who will be standing with us back then, now and in the future.

Ambassador Yurdakul in his brief remarks thanked the audience for attending the reception in large number. He hoped Turkey-Pakistan friendship will become even stronger with the each passing day.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2019.