Turkish Armed Forces day celebrated
By Muhammad Asif Qureshi

ISLAMABAD—Turkish armed forces day celebrated at Turkish Embassy in Islamabad on 30th August, which is also known as victory day. Turkish Ambassador Engin Soysal, Ambassador’s Wife Tulay Soysal and Turkish Armed Forces and Navel Attache erhan Sansoy were the host and presided over a ceremony marking an 86-year-old victory over Greece which was considered crucial to the Turkish Independence War which led to the foundation of the modern Turkish republic.
The Chief Guest was Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed. Distinguished guest started coming in time and were enjoying having juice-filled goblets went for merriments and vintage. A cake was cut by the chief guest along with the Turkish Army Attaches. Suddenly National anthems of turkey and Pakistan were played among the dignitaries. The Ottoman Empire entered the First World War as one of the allies of the Central Powers with the allied powers. Taking advantage of the worn out Ottoman government in Istanbul and the armistice statements the Allied Forces started to occupy Turkish Anatolia and Thrace.
As the Ottoman government was unable and unwilling to resist the occupation, the people started forming resistance groups under the leadership of Mustafa Kamal (Ataturk) who was the legendary her of the Gallipoli (Canakkale) War. Mustafa Kamal first established the Turkish Grand national Assembly with representatives all over from the Turkish territories who were to lead the national resistance against the invaders. Secondly he established a national army and he clearly made his famous statement to the Turkish nation and army, “There is no defense line but defense zone.
This zone is the whole country. Each part of the country shall not be left to the enemy unless it is soaked with the blood of its citizens”, which at that time was very revolutionary change to the known tactics and methods. The Turkish army commenced its first resistance battle against the enemy in January 1921 and carried out couple of major ones despite the lack of manpower and armaments. Eventually, in mid-Jun 1922, Commander-in-chief Mustafa Kamal gave the decision to carry out the final attack. On August 26, the major counter attack was started by Turkish army, under command of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. The successful attacks by Turkish army on August 27, 28 and 29 reached its climax and on 30 August 1922 final major attack known as “The Commander-In-Chief Pitch Battle” in Turkish military history was set off against the weakened enemy.
The battle resulted in great victory on 30 August 1922. Consequently, the agreement for the withdrawal of the occupying forces (British, Greek, French and Italian) from the Turkish territories was signed. This great victory also set an example for other nations which were at that time under oppression of the colonial powers, by proving them how a nation was able to fight against much stronger enemies for its independence even in the most disadvantageous circumstances.
In this context, the Turkish nation always remembers with gratitude, the financial and moral support of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent during the Turkish was of independence. There was a variety of other eatables and desert delights to top of the light but satisfying meal. Many army officers seemed to have conversation about army matters and politics. Turkey and Pakistan have strong diplomatic relations and always aspired to extend and strength the multifaceted ties. The relations between two countries are based on trust and common views on a lot of major international issues, fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation , fight against poverty, strengthening of multilateral frame work. Many bilateral visits demonstrate and substance of the binds uniting Turkey and Pakistan.