Terrorism has no language, religion: Turkish envoy

ISLAMABAD: Turkey’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Mehmet Paccaci has reiterated the principle that terrorism has no language, religion, or race and emphasize the importance of solidarity and cooperation within the international community in the fight against all terrorist organizations including Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) in any form and manifestations that pose a threat to the safety of humanity.

He was addressing a commemoration gathering on Monday in the embassy compound in diplomatic enclave regarding July 15 failed coup back in his country. He maintained that the “Victory of the Nation” is the main theme of this year’s commemoration ceremony of the “Democracy and National Unity Day”.

The ambassador recalled that it has been eight years since the July 15 coup attempt orchestrated by members of the FETO who had infiltrated Turkish army, resulting the martyrdom of 251 of citizens and the injury of over two thousand others. The FETO is not only a terrorist organization, but also an espionage organization with a “cult” character. FETO was established as a so-called “religious movement”.

In the guise of promoting education and inter-religious dialogue, it managed to cover its malign intentions, Ambassador Mehmet Paccaci said. He reminded that the well-planned and widespread infiltration by FETO members and converts into the army, law enforcement, judiciary and numerous government institutions was carried out for decades latently for a full-scale plot, of which the final phase was unleashed on July 15, 2016.

Turkish envoy said that the greatest credit for neutralizing the threat posed by FETO on the night of July 15 goes to the Turkish people, who demonstrated that they recognize no power over their own will and are ready to give their lives to protect their state and its democratic achievements. It was the night when the territorial integrity, demographical integrity and cultural integrity of Türkiye, in other words, in every sense, Türkiye itself was protected by its own citizens under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Thousands of civilians took to the streets to stop this heinous coup attempt. Turkey is resolutely fighting against FETO both domestically and internationally, the ambassador said. In this context, we emphasize with concrete examples that FETO poses a security threat to other countries where it operates, aims to create political and economic spheres of influence, does not hesitate to violate the laws of the countries it is present in, and operates like a criminal and intelligence organization.

He said that it is now becoming internationally understood that FETO is not a social movement involved in education and charity as it tries to portray itself, but a dark and insidious terrorist organization with political and economic ambitions.

Pakistan is remembered with appreciation for being among the first countries that took swift action against the organization’s affiliates in the aftermath of the treacherous coup attempt in our country. The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared FETO a proscribed organization with the verdict rendered on 28th December 2018. Türkiye and the Turkish people are grateful to brother Pakistan, Ambassador Dr. Mehmet said.

As to International platforms, FETO has also been recognized as a terrorist organization by the OIC. The night of July 15 showed us that the spirit of national unity from the Turkish War of Independence remains steadfast. Democracy and the Republic can only be achieved through a spirit of national unity, Dr. Mehmet said.

Additional Foreign Secretary Ahmed Naseem Warraich who was the chief guest on the occasion also addressed the gathering. Syed Ali Asad Gillani DG MOFA, Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram and senior diplomats attended the gathering.