Pakistan Defence Day Reception Held at Pakistan Embassy Ankara
UrduPoint (5th Sep, 2026) The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara hosted a reception to commemorate Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs’ Day with Turkiye's Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler as the chief guest.
The event was attended by:
- Commander of the Turkish General Staff, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu
- Commander of the Turkish Land Force, General Metin Tokel
- Commander of Turkish Naval Force, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu
- Commander of Turkish Air Force, General Rafet Dalkiran
- Former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Recep Akdag
- Deputy Foreign Minister Haci Ali Ozel
- Secretary General D-8 Sohail Mahmood
- Military attaches
- Senior Turkish dignitaries
- Members of the Pakistani community
- Other distinguished guests
Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, in his address:
- Paid tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs.
- Recalled the nation's courage, resilience and unity during challenging times.
- Highlighted the contributions of Pakistanis in national defence, disaster relief, and UN peacekeeping operations.
- Reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to UN Security Council resolutions.
The ceremony included:
- Recitation from the Holy Quran
- Playing of the national anthems of Pakistan and Turkey
- Performances by students from the Pakistan Embassy International Study Group (PEISG)
- Video presentations highlighting the significance of Defence and Martyrs' Day
Air Commodore Muhammad Asif Bhatti, Defence and Air Attache:
- Paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of Pakistanis during the defence of Pakistan on September 6, 1965.
- Reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace while emphasizing its determination to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional security.
Minister Yasar Guler:
- Congratulated the people of Pakistan on Defence and Martyrs' Day.
- Paid tribute to Pakistan's martyrs and veterans.
- Highlighted the strong historical bonds and enduring brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan, describing Pakistan as a strategic partner.
- Emphasized growing bilateral cooperation in defence and security.
- Praised the Makkah Defence Alliance between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia as a historic step towards stronger strategic cooperation, collective deterrence, and regional stability.