Pakistan, Türkiye stand united against imperial aggression: Turkish leader

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye share an enduring bond founded on brotherhood, shared struggle, and resistance to imperial domination, a leading Turkish civil society figure said in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV Digital last week.

 He urged global powers to “abandon their colonial ambitions” and allow smaller nations to thrive in peace.

In a wide-ranging interview, İsmail Hakkı Turunç, president of Türkiye’s July 15 Association, condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, describing them as “a direct consequence of imperial greed” and a reflection of the exploitative mindset that continues to shape global politics.

“It is absolutely wrong for any country, especially those backed by powers like the US, the UK, France, or Germany, to invade others and take away their rights,” Turunç said. “Such actions bring neither peace to Gaza nor security to those who support these aggressions.”

Turunç, who has personally visited Gaza six times, said he was “tortured” during his last visit, adding that the suffering of Gazans mirrors the world’s moral collapse in the face of oppression.

“Over 80,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza, thousands more have been wounded, and millions are confined to a tiny strip of land,” he said. “This is not only a humanitarian tragedy but a reflection of an imperial, exploitative mentality that must end.”

‘Türkiye stands with Pakistan’ 

Reaffirming Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan, Turunç said his country has “always stood by its brotherly nation,” particularly in times of crisis or tension with India.

“Whenever we face hardship, the first country to rush to our side has always been Pakistan, both its government and its people,” he said. “We are brothers, and if a brother does not share in his brother’s sorrow or joy, that cannot be called brotherhood.”

He recalled his first visit to Pakistan following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, when he came as part of a Turkish humanitarian delegation.

“We built schools, established soup kitchens, and distributed food,” he said. “That bond of brotherhood was not symbolic.”

“It was lived and felt on the ground.”

Turunç emphasized that both countries must continue to expand cooperation in areas such as economic development, energy, and humanitarian work.

“Each country should make use of its own resources to improve the lives of its citizens,” he said. “No state should covet the wealth of another, that is what separates sovereignty from imperialism.”

The July 15 Association is a leading non-governmental organization in Türkiye, established after the failed 2016 coup attempt, which left more than 250 people dead and thousands injured. The association works to commemorate the martyrs and veterans of that night, support their families, and preserve the memory of the public’s resistance as a defining moment in Türkiye’s democratic history.

On the night of July 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the elected government. The attempt was thwarted after millions of civilians took to the streets in response to a call from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish government blames the coup on the Gülen movement (FETÖ), which has since been designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye.

Reflecting on those events, Turunç said the coup attempt was “an initiative backed by several imperial powers and carried out by traitors within the system.”

“Thanks to the trust our people have in President Erdoğan, millions took to the streets,” he said. “The people won, the coup plotters lost. Praise be to God, there was joy and peace in our victory.”

He added that Türkiye’s experience serves as a lesson for nations like Pakistan that continue to resist foreign interference.

“We will never recognize any system other than democracy,” he quoted President Erdoğan as saying. “Those who want to abolish democracy will never be given the chance.”

‘World has enough for all, if shared fairly’

Calling for global cooperation and ethical resource distribution, Turunç said the world must learn to share its wealth rather than exploit others.

“The world has enough resources to sustain far more than eight billion people if used wisely,” he said. “But the egoism of some and the exploitative mentality of others prevent fair sharing. This greed drives conflicts, occupations, and suffering, from Gaza to beyond.”

Concluding the interview, Turunç expressed affection for the Pakistani people and optimism about the future of bilateral relations.

“The people of Türkiye love Pakistan deeply,” he said. “God willing, this brotherhood will last forever, and our friendship will continue for many generations to come.”