- BIST10012,134-0.14%
- USD49.34+0.24%
- EUR55.21-0.01%
- GOLD4,211.70+0.50%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN83,736+2.42%
- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,134-0.14%
- USD49.34+0.24%
- EUR55.21-0.01%
- GOLD4,211.70+0.50%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN83,736+2.42%
- October 13, 202618°
Pakistan highlights friendship with Türkiye on its 79th independence anniversary
Pakistan continues to maintain relations with Türkiye based on friendship and brotherhood as it marks the 79th anniversary of its independence on Aug. 14.
Pakistan is celebrating the 79th anniversary of the independence it gained from the United Kingdom on Aug. 14, 1947. Since its founding, the country has maintained close relations with Türkiye based on friendship and brotherhood.
Pakistan's path to independence
Pakistan's Independence Day is celebrated every year on Aug. 14 under the name Yaum-e-Azadi, which means “Day of Freedom” in Urdu. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, regarded as the “Father of the Nation” in Pakistan, declared the country's independence in 1947.
The All-India Muslim League, founded in 1906 to defend the rights of Muslims in British India, gradually adopted the demand for the establishment of an independent state. The organization, described as India's first Muslim political party, was influenced in the 1930s by Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal's idea of establishing a Muslim state in India.
The league revived the idea of a separate state for Muslims and advocated the “two-nation theory.” This approach, which sought to establish an independent state in areas of British India with Muslim-majority populations, was supported through political activities and public meetings.
In his opening speech at an All-India Muslim League meeting held in Allahabad in 1930, Muhammad Iqbal argued that a separate and independent state should be established for Muslims. Iqbal's speech was regarded as one of the first significant steps in the process that led to the establishment of Pakistan.
The emergence of the name Pakistan and partition
Rahmat Ali, a member of the All-India Muslim League, developed this idea after Iqbal's speech and proposed the name “Pakistan” in 1933 for the Muslim state that was intended to be established.
While the independence movements of Muslims and Hindus in South Asia continued during the same period, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act in 1935. The law abolished the system of dual administration in the regions and granted significant autonomy to the 11 provinces of British India.
Following the All-India Muslim League's congress in Lahore from March 22 to 24, 1940, it was decided that provinces with Muslim-majority populations would be united to form an independent state. In the 1946 provincial elections in British India, the league won approximately 90% of the votes cast by the Muslim population.
As a result of this political support and independence negotiations, the British colony of India was divided into Pakistan and India on the night of Aug. 14-15, 1947. The region that is now Bangladesh became part of Pakistan under the name East Pakistan at that time.
Why was Aug. 14 designated as Independence Day?
Pakistan's Independence Day was set for Aug. 14 because Laylat al-Qadr fell on that date in 1947. After independence, Pakistan joined the Commonwealth of Nations, and its first head of state was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who served as governor-general representing the British monarch.
Pakistan's first constitution, adopted in 1956, abolished the British monarch's status as head of state and replaced the office of governor-general with the presidency. Pakistan's first president was Iskander Ali Mirza, the country's fourth governor-general.
Pakistan was established in areas with concentrated Muslim populations in eastern and western India. The country was divided in 1971, and East Pakistan declared its independence under the name Bangladesh.
Türkiye-Pakistan relations
Relations between Türkiye and Pakistan have developed on the basis of close friendship and brotherhood since Pakistan gained independence on Aug. 14, 1947. This year also marks the 79th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The support provided by South Asian Muslims to Türkiye during its War of Independence stands out as one of the important elements of the ties between the two countries. Türkiye's success in its struggle for independence and the construction of the modern state became a source of inspiration for the people of Pakistan.
After Pakistan was founded, relations between the two countries developed through reciprocal high-level visits. Mutual support during difficult periods, such as natural disasters, also helped strengthen ties between the two peoples.
The relationship gained an institutional framework through the High-Level Cooperation Council mechanism established in 2009. This structure was later elevated to the level of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Türkiye
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Türkiye from July 2 to 4. At the Türkiye-Pakistan Business Forum in Istanbul, Sharif said trade, economic, defense industry and energy cooperation between the two countries had developed actively in recent years.
Sharif said no words would be enough to describe relations between the two peoples and stated that Türkiye and Pakistan had always stood by each other in difficult times. He said the Turkish people had provided steadfast support when Pakistan faced war, devastating earthquakes or floods.
Sharif recalled that President Erdoğan visited areas affected by the floods in Pakistan in 2010, while Emine Erdoğan donated her necklace to support people affected by the disaster.
Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif said he believed the future of the peoples of Pakistan and Türkiye was bright, adding: “Türkiye's success is Pakistan's success. Pakistan's progress is Türkiye's progress.”
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
