By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
Thousands rallied on Friday in Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi to express solidarity with the Turkish nation following the failed military coup.
Organized by Jamat-e-Islami (JI), one of the country’s largest Islamic parties, on a busy city street, the rally was the latest in a string of demonstrations held across the country - since the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey - to hail the resolve and commitment of the Turkish people and their defense of democracy.
Carrying banners with slogans such as “Salute to Turkish people for foiling the ulterior motives of US lobby”, “People of Pakistan are with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan”, “We congratulate Turkish people for safeguarding democracy”, men, women, and children chanted in favor of Turkish people and their leadership. Many were carrying portraits of Erdogan.
“Turkish people have set an example for not only the Muslim world [but everyone] that there is no longer any room for military coups," Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the head of JI’s Karachi branch said as he addressed the rally.
Rehman observed that it was the unity of the Turkish nation that had hindered the attempted coup instigated by a fragment of army.
“The people of Pakistan are with the people of Turkey at this crucial time. Turkey Inshaullah [God willing] will continue to progress under the dynamic leadership of President Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim,” Rehman added.
He also hailed the Turkish army for standing alongside the country’s democratic government. “The role of Turkish army in terms of backing the democratic government and foiling the coup attempted by a minor segment of army, is equally commendable”, he added.
Jamat--e Islami Pakistan chief, Siraj ul Haq on Friday conveyed his solidarity from Pakistanis and his party with Turkish people following the failed military coup to the Turkish ambassador in Islamabad Sadik Babür Girgin at the embassy.
Haq, who is a senator as well, according to a statement, praised the historical resistance from Turkish people and the role of security forces in foiling the attempted coup.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier had commended the “historical” resistance of Turkish people against the attempted coup, and assured that his country stood behind the democratically elected government of Turkey.
Pakistan has been ruled by the army for half its history since 1947.
