Türkiye reaffirms support for Kashmir, says Pakistan ‘will never walk alone’

Shabana Ayaz

Ankara: Türkiye strongly reaffirmed its support for Pakistan and the people of Kashmir during a ceremony held at the Embassy of Pakistan to mark February 5 – Kashmir Solidarity Day, with senior Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin declaring that “Pakistan will never walk alone in the Kashmir struggle.”

The event brought together diplomats, officials and members of the Pakistani and Turkish communities to express solidarity with Kashmiris and highlight the issue at the international level. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of Pakistan and Türkiye. A documentary showcasing Kashmir’s historical struggle, sacrifices and current situation was also screened.

Türkiye’s unwavering support

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the Türkiye–Pakistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and AK Party Member of Parliament Ali Şahin reiterated Ankara’s firm backing for Islamabad and the Kashmiri people.

“Whether it is the fight against terrorism or the struggle for Kashmir, Pakistan will never walk alone. As Turkish brothers, we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pakistani brothers,” he said.

Highlighting emotional and historical ties, he added, “Although Kashmir may be geographically distant from Anatolia, spiritually and morally it is at zero distance to us.”

Criticism of India’s policies

Ali Şahin strongly criticised India’s policies in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, alleging widespread human rights violations and restrictions on civil liberties.

“India presents itself as the world’s largest democracy, yet in Kashmir, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the rule of law have been completely dismantled, turning the region into an open-air prison,” he said. “Such a model cannot be accepted as a true democracy by the world.”

Historical solidarity

Referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s past remarks, the Turkish lawmaker compared Kashmir’s struggle to Türkiye’s historic Gallipoli campaign.

“As defined by our President, ‘Kashmir is Turkey’s Çanakkale.’ Just as the Muslims of the Subcontinent and the people of Pakistan stood with Türkiye during the Çanakkale struggle, today we accept Kashmir as our own Çanakkale and stand firmly with our Kashmiri and Pakistani brothers in this just struggle,” he said.

The statement was issued by Shabana Ayaz, spokesperson for the Türkiye–Pakistan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.