Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Directorate organized a tree planting event in Pakistan within the scope of "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day".
The event held at Ankara Park in the capital Islamabad, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), was attended by the Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Approximately 200 guests, including Shehza Mansab Ali Khan, Türkiye's Ambassador to Islamabad İrfan Neziroğlu, CDA President Sohail Ashraf, TIKA Islamabad Coordinator Saliha Tuna, representatives of public institutions, universities, non-governmental organizations, aid organizations, students and Turkish citizens living in Pakistan, attended.
Speaking at the opening of the program, which started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Ambassador Neziroğlu stated that 10 years ago on July 15, the terrorist organization FETO attempted a coup against the democratically elected government, democracy, constitutional order and the will of the people.
Recalling what happened on July 15, Neziroğlu explained that he was the Secretary General of the Turkish Grand National Assembly at that time and that the Turkish Grand National Assembly was also targeted while he was there.
Noting that unfortunately more than 250 were martyred and more than 2 thousand civilians were injured, Neziroğlu said that millions of people resisted the coup attempt on the streets after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on the public.
Neziroğlu pointed out that they came together today to commemorate the martyrs and emphasized that Pakistan stood by Türkiye during the War of Independence and in the FETO coup attempt 10 years ago.
Pakistan is always in a special place for Türkiye
Pointing out that Pakistan recognized FETO as a terrorist organization in 2018, Neziroğlu said that for this reason, Pakistan has always been in a very special place for Türkiye.
Neziroğlu stated that Türkiye is grateful and said, "You will never walk alone. Yes, we were together in the past, we are together today and I hope we will be together tomorrow." he said.
State Minister Khan stated that the tree planting carried out on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day is a meaningful legacy to be left to future generations and thanked TIKA for this initiative that contributes to nature.
CDA President Ashraf also pointed out the importance of afforestation activities that will contribute to the beautification of Islamabad, which stands out with its green identity, and stated that they wish to further develop cooperation with Turkey and TIKA in the fields of environment and urban planning.
TİKA Islamabad Coordinator Saliha Tuna stated that the commemorative forest created in Ankara Park within the scope of the project will be both a permanent symbol that will keep the cherished memory of the July 15 martyrs alive and a concrete indicator of the strong brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan and the common importance given to environmental sustainability.
After the speeches, saplings were planted by the guests. While a total of 500 saplings planned to be planted within the scope of the project met the soil, approximately 100 saplings were planted by the participants.
After taking a souvenir photo, the program ended with refreshments.