253 Saplings Planted in Memory of 253 Martyrs

As part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemorations, 253 saplings were planted in memory of the 253 citizens martyred during the 2016 coup attempt, in a ceremony held at Fatima Jinnah (F-9) Park in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

The event, organized under the leadership of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Islamabad, İrfan Neziroğlu; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pakistan, Saliha Tuna; Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Law and Justice, Naeem Akbar Raja; Pakistani government officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations, staff from Turkish institutions in Islamabad, and many Turkish citizens.

Ambassador Neziroğlu shared his reflections on the night of July 15, based on his experience as Secretary General of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, emphasizing that the coup attempt was thwarted by the will of the people. He expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s sincere support for Türkiye and paid tribute to the martyrs with reverence.

In her remarks, TİKA’s Coordinator in Pakistan, Tuna, stated that the event was organized to highlight Türkiye’s unwavering commitment to democracy and national unity and to honor the memory of the martyrs. She noted that the occasion had further strengthened the deep-rooted friendship between Türkiye and Pakistan.